Articles by Mike Rhodes

Photo by: iStockphoto

Entertainment February 2, 2016

Ball State Digital Expert Says Super Bowl Ads Costly But Effective

By: Ball State Division of Strategic Communications— Although costly, Super Bowl ads have a great return on investment. Despite the continuing fragmentation of the television audience, the Super Bowl remains one of the few events that can attract a vast audience. Because of that, it remains one of the few “water cooler events” that advertisers seek, says Ball State’s Dom Caristi, a telecommunications professor. “Even an ad price of $5 million for 30 seconds seems reasonable because people actually want…

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Spencer Grady and Allie Dietz. Photography by Kip Shawger. Choreography by Sidra Bell.

Entertainment February 1, 2016

Arts & Culture Council Hosts First Thursday With Sidra Bell Dance Showcase

By: Braydee Euliss— Following their first event last December, Muncie Arts & Culture Council resumes hosting pop-up events in the GearBox: Muncie, the former Cintas building, on First Thursday February 4, 5–8 PM. Visiting choreographer Sidra Bell will showcase brand new choreography with the help of several BFA Dance Majors from Ball State University. Two rolling performances will take place at 5:45 and 6:30 PM, with music and the opportunity to speak with Bell and the dancers between showtimes. Please enter…

Fist bump at the Reds Caravan held at Stoops Automotive in 2017. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Entertainment January 28, 2016

Photo Gallery: Cincinnati Reds Caravan Stops at Stoops Buick-GMC in Muncie

By: Mike Rhodes & Liz Valpatic— At 5:50pm, Thursday evening, the huge Cincinnati Reds Caravan bus pulled into the Stoops Buick GMC dealership. Hundreds of Reds fans were anxiously waiting to hear about the upcoming season, meet players and get signatures on their personal items. The very popular Reds Caravan provided fans with the opportunity to interact with current and former players, broadcasters and other members of the front office staff.  At the Stoops Buick GMC stop, the group fielded questions…

A view inside the lobby of Mursix. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business January 28, 2016

Mursix Corporation Acquires Dakota Engineering, Inc.; Will Add 22 Employees

By: Bob Neville— Muncie, IN – Mursix Corporation, a leading supplier of precision components to the automotive, alternative energy, appliance, and security markets, has announced that it has acquired Dakota Engineering, Inc., an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of CNC-machined products for the automotive, medical, security, and other industries. In making the announcement, Mursix CEO Todd Murray stated “This is great news for our company, our associates, our customers and for our host community – Delaware County. For our customers, Dakota’s…

Laura and her two children. Photo provided.

Non-Profit January 26, 2016

Laura Williamson Named New Executive Director of Muncie Civic Theatre

By: Chris Griffith— Muncie Civic Theatre and the Board of Directors has announced that Laura Williamson will join the 85 year old institution as its new Executive Director and assume the role on February 1, 2016. In this position, Williamson will work with Chris Griffith and Paul Tavianini who continue as Business and Artistic Director, respectively. Board President, Leigh Edwards remarked, “After careful consideration and focused action from the Board of Directors, we are thrilled to welcome Laura Williamson. Her…

Nate Rose and his daughter Noelle reading the first Imagination Library book, "The Little Engine That Could." Photo provided.

Non-Profit January 25, 2016

United Way of Delaware County Welcomes Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

By: Shelley Shekell— Nate Rose is a father of two living in Delaware County. He and his wife Marissa understand and support the important push for early childhood literacy in Delaware County. Nate saw a need for getting books into the homes of families, and he took strides to make that happen. While researching Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, a program that provides families with a high-quality book every month with no cost to the family, he realized the program…

The Digital Climbers program at Muncie Public Library is supported, in part, by funding from the Kiwanis Club of Muncie. Photo provided.

Non-Profit January 25, 2016

Discover Digital Climbers at MPL Connection Corner

By: Rebecca Parker— Kids and teens ages 8 and up are invited to a Digital Climbers launch party at Muncie Public Library’s Connection Corner this Wednesday, January 27 at 3pm. Kids will find out how they can earn badges and points as they become more skilled in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities. According to Rebecca Parker, Connection Corner Specialist at Muncie Public Library, the program will encourage students to work independently in mastering technology skills and to compete…

Minnetrista Grounds Manager Steve Scott. Photo provided.

Business January 25, 2016

Minnetrista Awarded 2015 Green Award by MRTF

By: Sam Condon— Minnetrista Grounds Manager Steve Scott was recently awarded the 2015 Green Award ( Lawn Care Division) presented by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation at the Green Expo in Indianapolis. The award reads, “In recognition of outstanding environmental stewardship efforts and commitment to advancing the turf industry.” The award was accepted by Minnetrista grounds crewmembers Steve Scott and Dustin Stillinger. Founded in September 1945, the MRTF was organized to gather and disseminate information that would help promote the advancement of…

Delta Middle School students adopt ARF. Photo provided.

Education, Non-Profit January 20, 2016

Delta Middle School Students Adopt ARF as 2016 Outreach Recipient

By: Dee McKinsey— Approximately 155 students in Delta Middle School’s eight grade have been collecting supplies for ARF (Animal Rescue Fund), Muncie’s no-kill animal shelter, since they returned from winter break. Christopher Overholt, eighth grade social studies teacher, says that his pupils picked ARF after two rounds of voting. The students receive competitive points based on ARF requested donations, and the pupils’ character traits of effort, attitude and respect also were rewarded points. Overholt said that the students solicited donations…

Ice League Draft Day Drills. Photo provided.

Education, Non-Profit January 20, 2016

Ice League to Focus on Grades AND Basketball Skills

By: Sue Godfrey— An innovative basketball league that leverages students’ love of sports while promoting stellar academics will kick off its 2016 season with a Draft Day on Feb. 6 at Muncie Central High School. The Inner City Educational (ICE) League motivates participants to be strong student athletes as they move toward high school and post- secondary education. The ICE League sets the grade point average bar at 2.5 and higher for students who wish to fully participate in the…