Articles by Mike Rhodes

Michael Wolfe, Chief Technology Officer, Ontario Systems and President of Sustainable Muncie. Photo provided.

Business, Non-Profit March 10, 2016

Michael Wolfe Turns to “Makers” To Enhance Downtown Culture

By: Shawn Rogers for the Muncie Journal— “Makers, and the art of making – whether we’re talking about art, science, manufacturing – are in Muncie’s DNA.” It’s obvious that Michael Wolfe, Chief Technology Officer for Muncie’s largest technology firm, is enthusiastic about invention. From his office at Ontario Systems headquarters, he talks me through some of the details behind his collaboration with Sustainable Muncie Corporation’s latest project, a development on the east side of the city called Gearbox, where he…

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IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Health March 10, 2016

Flu-Related Visitor Restrictions to Begin at IU Health Ball Memorial and IU Health Blackford Hospitals

By: Neil Gifford— Indiana has seen an increase in flu activity in the past three weeks. To protect patients, families and team members from unnecessary potential exposure to the flu virus, Indiana University Health is taking the precautionary measure of restricting patient visitors to its hospitals. Beginning this Friday, March 11, the temporary policy will take effect at IU Health Ball Memorial and IU Health Blackford Hospitals and other IU Health facilities statewide. Visitors should call the hospital they plan to…

Reading Club volunteers Ben and Karen Howells engage students during Reading Club at Longfellow Elementary School. On average, Reading Club volunteers give 60 hours of their time helping students during a school year. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 9, 2016

Muncie-Delaware County Honored as a Pacesetter for Early Literacy Work

Muncie, IN– Our community has been honored as a Pacesetter by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading for making measurable progress on eliminating barriers faced by children from low-income families on the path to becoming proficient readers. “Pacesetter Honors are among the highest awards presented by the Campaign,” said Ralph Smith, the managing director of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. “We are very proud of Muncie and the numerous organizations and individuals behind them for joining forces and working tirelessly to…

"The Song" is a television program that will premiere in the Fall of 2016. Illustration by: Mike Rhodes

Entertainment March 9, 2016

The Television Show “The Song” is Coming to Muncie

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie Indiana is about to become the production home of a new music reality television show called The Song. The Song is an exciting new television show, that is a dramatic departure from karaoke-style contests like The Voice and American Idol that have dominated pop culture for the last decade. The Song is a reality television show that will premiere in the Fall of 2016 on network television and will feature artists/songwriters performing their own original music. Not…

Mike Lunsford presents his portion of the 5th Annual State of Commercial Real Estate in Delaware County. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business March 7, 2016

5th Annual State of Commercial Real Estate Presented by Coldwell Banker Lunsford

Muncie, IN—The 5th Annual State of Commercial Real Estate in Delaware County was presented by Coldwell Banker Lunsford today at the Downtown Courtyard Marriott. The presenting panel included:  Mike Lunsford, CCIM, Owner, Coldwell Banker Lunsford; Monte Brown, CCIM, Manager of Coldwell Banker Lunsford’s Commercial Division and a long time player in the commercial arena; Chris Caldwell,  Senior Vice President for Business Banking at MutualBank; Michael Hicks, PhD, Director of the Bureau of Business Research at BSU and a nationally recognized expert in business economics and statistics; Jay Allardt,…

Anderson-Muncie Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Photo provided.

Non-Profit March 7, 2016

Donate Wigs and Celebrate Cancer Survivorship This Saturday

By: Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey— The Anderson-Muncie Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (a Public Service Organization) invites the community-at-large to a free event to Celebrate Cancer Survivorship, this Saturday, March 12, 2016, 12:00-2:00 pm at Union Missionary Baptist Church (A.L. Dew Memorial Chapel), 1103 N. Macedonia, Muncie, IN. People are living longer after an initial diagnosis of cancer. Prevention strategies and early detection are important factors of which everyone needs to be aware. There is no cost to…

Photo courtesy of: Kyla Bartle

Non-Profit March 5, 2016

Muncie Fundraiser Draws Crowd to Fight Hunger

By: Karen McTague— The chill in the air made for a great day for a bowl of soup at the first annual Delaware County Fill-A-Bowl fundraiser for the Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB). Nearly 200 people gathered at the Second Harvest office and warehouse to share a meal and learn about the current efforts of the organization to combat hunger in the Delaware County area. SHFB Board Chairman Jeff Sikora, President/CEO of PrimeTrust Financial, provided opening remarks about the work…

Photo courtesy of: Minnestrista Heritage Collection

Education, Entertainment, Non-Profit March 4, 2016

IHS Exhibit Explores Impact of Ball Brothers Canning History

By: Rachel Hill Ponko—  The old-fashioned art of canning and preserving foods is enjoying new popularity, and a new Indiana Historical Society (IHS) exhibition is taking guests back to its Hoosier beginnings. The newest Indiana Experience offering, You Are There 1948: Communities Can!, explores the impact the Ball Brothers Company from Muncie, Ind., had on the original food preservation movement across the United States. Communities Can! opens March 5, 2016, and runs through Aug. 12, 2017, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, located…

Delaware County Futbol Club's new facility at 5450 North Wheeling Avenue. Photo provided.

Misc March 3, 2016

Local Soccer Club to Open Indoor Facility

By: Chris Smith— Delaware County Futbol Club (DCFC), East Central Indiana’s largest Travel and Recreational soccer club, is continuing to grow and has announced its expansion into a new facility. In addition to their outdoor fields at Yorktown Sports Park and the Muncie Sportsplex, DCFC is pleased to announce the acquisition of the former Muncie Skate Park located at 5450 North Wheeling Avenue. The 17,500 sq. ft. indoor facility is expected to be one of the premier sports facilities in Central Indiana and will be a year-round, all-weather…

The CO:LAB. Photo provided.

Business March 2, 2016

Downtown Business Connector Changes Name and Branding

By: Jennifer Green— Downtown Business Connector, the Downtown Muncie, based coworking and office space, announces that it has rebranded itself to The CO:LAB, effective immediately. The brand change reflects an evolution for the company and its community, more accurately aligning its mission and expansion plans. “Our space has grown and emerged over the last year, and we felt it was only fitting to embrace our defined personality. We have refreshed our brand to reflect who we are as a collective community…