Articles by Mike Rhodes

BSU Public Relations Students Organize National PRSSA Conference

By: BSU News— Muncie, IN—After a year of planning, dozens of face-to-face meetings, hundreds of virtual meetings and several thousand emails, Ball State public relations students Hannah Riffle and Katie Ronzio are in the final stages of merging classroom learning with practical experience. The two students are heading up a partnership between Ball State and the University of Indianapolis to serve as host schools for the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) 2016 National Conference, which is set for Oct. 21-25…

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Discover the Rich Legacy of Apple Cider at Senior Free-Admission Day, October 19th

By: Sam Condon— Muncie, IN—Seniors, experience a behind-the-scenes look at apple cider pressing in The Orchard Shop during Senior Free-Admission Day: Shop & Cider, on October 19. “Come explore a Minnetrista fall favorite and meet the men behind the jug,” said Visitor Experience Manager, Allison Clark. “Tours will include history on apples, an up-close view of our working cider press, and conclude with Minnetrista cider samples. Each program will last approximately an hour and will start in the Apple Barn…


Annual Delaware County Prevention Council’s Community Breakfast to Be Held October 25th

By: Dee McKinsey— Leading Indianapolis Advocate for Preventing Drug Overdose Deaths to Speak in Muncie  Muncie, IN— Justin Phillips of Indianapolis, founder and executive director of Overdose Lifeline, Inc. (ODL), will be the featured speaker at the annual Delaware County Prevention Council’s Red Ribbon Community Breakfast. Along with Phillips, members of the council’s PRIDE Team will perform. This year’s theme is: “Be the change you wish to see — Live Drug Free.” The breakfast is scheduled for 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.,…


Horizon Convention Center Hosted Three Conventions in September

By: Treva Bivens— Muncie, IN— This past month, the Horizon Convention Center hosted the Indiana State Building and Construction Trades Council, IN Society for Respiratory Care, and Association of Indiana Solid Waste Management Districts conferences. Throughout the month of September, the Horizon Convention Center had over 500 convention attendees. Most of these attendees came from all over Indiana due to the conferences being the state wide associations. “Convention business is good business for Muncie and Delaware County” said Joann McKinney, president/CEO…


The Muncie Symphony Orchestra Announces “Revelry” on October 15th

Muncie, IN— Join the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and guitarist, Nicholas Marks, for “Revelry” today, October 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Pruis Hall on the Ball State University campus. Tickets start at $30 for adults in advance and $5 for youth, K – 12. Contact the Emens Box Office at 765.285.1539 or visit munciesymphony.org. “Come and have a party with the MSO!” says Douglas Droste, Artistic Director and Conductor. “Flamenco guitarist Nicholas Marks will lead the charge with Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, and…


John Carlson: The Meat of the Matter

By: John Carlson— I don’t mean to go all intellectual on you, but regular readers of this column know I sometimes probe the bigger, more thought-provoking questions of our time. For example, have you ever noticed how much an elephant ear looks like a breaded tenderloin? No? Just think about it. Now, I should probably note that by “elephant ear,” I mean the deep-fried, sugary, concessionaire’s confection and not some poor pachyderm’s actual ear, which would likely taste pretty icky…


Muncie Area Events and Happenings

The Muncie Visitors Bureau creates a regular compilation of all sorts of cool events that take place in the Muncie area. Their content includes events, exhibits, and more. Sample events in this edition include: Ball State University Glass Guild Pumpkin Sale, After Dark at Beech Grove Cemetery, Halloween Celestial Origins at the Charles W. Brown Planetarium, Through An Open Window, A Light Shines Art Exhibit @ Minnetrista, Open Space: Art About the Land @ Minnetrista and more.   See what’s happening…


Volunteer Tutors Now Available to Teach Reading

Muncie, IN—Between two trainings on September 27th and October 11th, The Community Reading Project now has sixteen volunteer tutors available to teach reading skills to struggling adult readers. The Community Reading Project is a new adult literacy program created to improve the quality of life for adults in Muncie and Delaware County by improving their reading skills. The program was founded in May by Marissa Rose and is supported through partnerships with United Way, the Ross Community Center, and others….


“Through Our Eyes” Project on Display at Maring-Hunt Library

By: Raven Brooks— Last fall 16 third graders took a fieldtrip through Muncie and through history. They then turned their experience into a project that is now on display at Maring-Hunt Library. The students first began working on the project in November of 2015, when their East Washington Academy teacher Dana Hartzell assigned it to them. “It was a project I had thought about doing for years,” said Hartzell. The project documents Muncie landmarks through original photos and reports. “My goal…


YOC Celebrates 11th Anniversary of the Shafer Giving Society

Muncie, IN—The Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) Foundation celebrated the eleventh anniversary of the Shafer Giving Society and the legacy of the late Hamer and Phyllis Shafer at a luncheon held in the YOC Gymnasium on October 6, 2016. The Shafer Giving Society was formed in 2006 to honor donors who have made cumulative gifts of $1,000 or more. The theme of this year’s event was Awakening Potential. Keynote speaker, Mr. Terry Walker, retired Muncie Power CEO & Chairman, and Chair…