Articles by Mike Rhodes

Muncie Makers Market Celebrates National Farmers Market Week

By: Miss Moth Danner— Muncie, IN—National Farmers Market Week is August 7-13, 2016. In celebration, the Muncie Makers Market is joining the Old West End Neighborhood Association (OWENA) for a day of fun on Saturday, August 13th. From 8am-1pm, the OWENA will bring their annual Rummage Bazaar to Downtown Muncie, with antiques, rummage of all sorts, and hot food aplenty. Also starting at 8am, and running all day to 7pm, visitors with have the opportunity to stock up on fresh…

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MCS Transition Summer School Program Improves Elementary Retention Rates

By: Ana Pichardo— Muncie, IN— When MCS noticed an upward trend in the number of kindergarten and first grade children being retained over a four year period, the district saw a critical need to implement a Transition Summer School program. During the spring of 2016, elementary principals, Eric Grim and Kara Miller, began planning for the three week program housed at South View Elementary School. The program included children from each elementary school. Of the 115 children that were recommended, 66…


Sustainable Muncie Corp. Names Full-time Executive Director

By: Michael Wolfe— Muncie, IN—Sustainable Muncie Corp. has hired Ashlee Bane as its Executive Director. Bane will take on the full­-time role of Executive Director for the organization, which is working to complete the initial buildout and launch of Madjax Muncie Maker Force at the corner of Madison and Jackson streets on the near east side of downtown Muncie. Bane was formerly the Executive Director at the YMCA and is a downtown resident herself. Bane states, “The projects in place,…


Universal Breakfast Program is Piloted Within the Muncie Community Schools

By: Ana Pichardo— Muncie, IN—In an effort to encourage students to eat breakfast, MCS in collaboration with Chartwells, is piloting a Universal Breakfast program at Grissom, Longfellow and Sutton Elementary Schools and Southside Middle School. The first day saw 400 students participating with 689 during the second day. This nearly 60% increase is a good indicator that the breakfast program will be a success. At the other eight schools, the number of students eating breakfast was 718. Stephanie Bond, Resident…


BY5 Offers Free “Dive In” Swim Event at Tuhey Pool on August 9th

By: Carrie Bale— Muncie, IN –Families, children and community members are invited to come to a “Dive In” FREE swim event to show your support for increase access to High Quality Pre-K opportunities for more children in Delaware County and in Indiana. Come join us for FREE at Tuhey pool on August 9, 2016 from  4 – 8pm.  Free novelty ice cream will be available from Baskin Robbins while supplies last.  BY5, as the leading voice for raising awareness about…


The Ducks Are Back in Town

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—So, there you are, driving down the road minding your own business. Being a good driver, you’re watching your speed and not exceeding the posted 35mph speed limit. Suddenly, your peripheral vision alerts you to a flash of something big, bright and intensely yellow. You immediately apply your brakes and slow way down in an attempt to better view one of Muncie’s most unusual seasonal sights… A giant inflatable duck on the side of the road. The Muncie Journal and WLBC’s…


John Carlson: Young Chefs Learn Cooking and More

By: John Carlson— MUNCIE, IN – Cracking eggs and laughing nervously, three girls crowded around a stainless steel bowl in the tight confines of Inside Out’s Community Kitchen, using the cup-like halves of broken shells to separate the yellow yolks from the syrupy whites. Nearby, other youngsters hacked aromatic strips of crisply fried bacon into bits. Just across the gleaming food-prep table, meanwhile, other kids expertly scooped bright green chunks of fresh avocado into a bowl, and chopped luscious ripe…


First Thursday, Opening Reception for Industrial Blues, an Exhibit of Photography by Gunther Cartwright

Muncie, IN—Gordy Fine Art and Framing Company will celebrate First Thursday, August 4th from 5 – 8 pm with an opening reception for Industrial Blues, an exhibit of landscape photography by Gunther Cartwright. The artist will be on hand to engage with viewers throughout the evening and will speak briefly to the audience about his work at 6:15. Light refreshments will be served and the public is invited to attend. Cartwright’s landscapes exquisitely capture the details of industry that form…


U.S.News ranks IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital among region’s Best Hospitals for 2016-2017

MUNCIE, IN—Yesterday, U.S.News & World Report released its 2016-2017 ‘Best Hospitals’ rankings and ‘Best Hospitals for Common Care’ ratings, naming Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital among the state’s top hospitals. IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, part of the IU Health System, is the No. 8 ranked regional hospital in Indiana. IU Health is the No. 1 ranked health system in Indiana, according to the U.S.News rankings. “IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital is extraordinarily honored to be recognized as one…


Discover How Fun Healthy Eating Can Be in My Plate: The Musical

Muncie, IN—Embark on a thrilling adventure across outer space with Minnetrista Theatre Preserves (MTP), a touring theatre group that provides an easy way to incorporate the art of theatre into learning. Along with Captain gNosh, the Nom-Noms of planet Nutrition V, and GLUT, discover foods that can help you stay healthy and strong in My Plate: The Musical. “Give your students a fun and exciting experience they need by singing and dancing about what it means to balance what they…