Articles by Mike Rhodes

30 Days of Community

Non-Profit September 29, 2015

Celebrating 30 Years with 30 Days of Community

By: Eunice Whitlock— The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County Inc. believes Delaware County is a great place to live. They also believe they can make it even better. So they work every day to improve our community. They find a way to make a difference through grants to local nonprofits, scholarships to students, and leadership to the community…and they’ve been doing it for 30 YEARS! “We are excited for this important milestone and are planning a 30 Days…

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Al Rent. File photo.

Education September 28, 2015

Al Rent Returns ‘Home’ to Ball State’s Public Broadcasting

By: Ball State University Division of Strategic Communications— Al Rent, a fixture in local broadcasting for several decades, has been named executive director and general manager for public broadcasting operations at Ball State University. Rent, who until recently was Ball State’s director of relationship marketing and community relations, will oversee WIPB-TV, which serves about 664,000 households in a 30-county region in Indiana and western Ohio, and Indiana Public Radio (IPR), which serves 22 Indiana counties and part of Ohio. Dan…

BY5 Early Childhood Initiative. Photo provided.

Education, Non-Profit September 24, 2015

BY5 Early Childhood Initiative Adds New Program to Serve Pregnant Mothers

By: Thomas Kinghorn and Carrie Bale— BY5 Early Childhood Initiative (pronounced by five) is working to transform the community by connecting Kindergarten readiness to economic success. A community wide strategic plan has been developed with the involvement of over 80 community members. The comprehensive strategic plan focuses on 5 overarching goals to ensure the future success of our community so that young children have a strong foundation for life. Those 5 goals are: 1) The role of BY5 as a conveyor,…

Aerial image overlooking the downtown area, Muncie Central High School, and White River. Photo by: Michael Wolfe

Non-Profit September 23, 2015

Community Foundation Awards $60,555 to Local Nonprofits

By: Eunice Whitlock— The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc. is awarding $60,555 to nine nonprofit organizations from the Maxon Foundation Fund. The Maxon Foundation Fund was established when assets of The Maxon Foundation were transferred to The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc.  The Maxon Foundation was originally established by Maxon Corporation and the founding family as a way to give back to the community and support worthy causes in Delaware County.  The Maxon Foundation Fund…

Youth Theater Education League production of Captain Louie Jr. At Muncie Civic Theater. Photo provided

Entertainment September 23, 2015

Muncie Civic Theater Presents “Captain Louie Jr.”

By: Chris Griffith— Prepare for a wild adventure at Muncie Civic Theatre with Louie and his friends in Captain Louie Jr., the second production this Fall as part of the Youth Theater Education League. The performance will be shown September 25th through the 27th. After moving to a new neighborhood, Louie finds himself lonely, the only companion by his side a red toy airplane. Missing the friends of his old neighborhood, Louie makes the plan to escape to his old neighborhood using his…

BSU Homecoming 2015

Education, Entertainment, Misc September 22, 2015

‘The Greatest Show on Turf’ Blends New Fun With Traditional Homecoming Favorites

By: Michelle Johnson— This year’s Homecoming festivities at Ball State University will include new entertainment in the Homecoming Village and family-friendly tailgating in addition to traditional favorites such as Air Jam, bed race and the football game. With the theme “The Greatest Show on Turf,” this year’s week of events begins Sept. 28 with Homecoming Village and culminates Oct. 3 when the Ball State Cardinals take on the Toledo Rockets at 3 p.m. in Scheumann Stadium. “Homecoming is a great…

Techwise Academy. Photo provided

Education September 22, 2015

TechWise Academy Offers Computer Code Reading and Writing Course for Kids

By: Lorri Markum— TechWise Academy, a new technology code reading and writing academy, will launch its first Level 1 course Saturday, September 26 at Innovation Connector, located at 1208 W. White River Blvd., from 9 a.m.–Noon, for youth ages 9–13. Learning to write and read computer coding is as easy for kids to master as regular reading and writing. Make it fun, and they will learn. That’s what Ryan Hunter and Brandon Coppernoll, founders of TechWise Academy believe, and why they developed…

Jennifer DeSilva, Photo provided.

Positivity September 22, 2015

Pope Francis Speaks of a Mission of Love, Hoping We Will Respond with Kindness

By: Jennifer DeSilva— In the evening of March 13, 2013, after the College of Cardinals elected Pope Francis, he appeared on the balcony to speak to the thousands collected in St. Peter’s Square, and millions watched and listened to broadcasts from afar. He spoke plainly and briefly, but his words prepared the world for his future actions, his political and social campaigns, and his arrival Tuesday (Sept. 22) in the United States as part of his Love is Our Mission…

Amber's Beauty School, Photo provided.

Business September 20, 2015

Amber’s Beauty School Now Enrolling Students

By: Brian L. Shrieve— Amber’s Beauty School in Muncie is now enrolling students for Cosmetology or Nail Technician Courses for the 2016 school year. Students may complete the enrollment process in one stop, with no appointment required, at the campus location. Our Admissions Director will work with students to complete the enrollment application and contract on site. If possible, students should bring a copy of their high school diploma or GED, a high school transcript or prior college credit. Amber’s Beauty School 3601…

Shadows of the 60's

Entertainment September 19, 2015

Emens Auditorium Brings “Music of Motown” to the Stage

By: Kristi Chambers— Revering the tremendous legacy of The Four Tops, Temptations and Supremes, Shadows of the 60’s brings to life these songs that span decades. Performing at Emens Auditorium on Friday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. Meticulous attention to style is taken to reproduce the music, note for note and in the original keys and arrangements. This night of musical memories highlights the hits of three of Motown’s most prominent artists. This true rendition concludes with a grand finale featuring the…