Articles by Mike Rhodes

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 the program will conclude with Mendelssohn’s festive Italian Symphony.” Often called the Jimi Hendrix of Flamenco music, Nicholas Marks has…

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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 no matter how much honey-mustard sauce you dipped it in. Anyway, a while back Nan and I were up in…


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 at this link.    


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. Now, with volunteers in place, the next step will be to find students to match with the tutors. Rose is…


“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 was to get the perspective of a child…I wanted to see what they see,” said Hartzell. And that’s just what…


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 of the Hamer D. and Phyllis C. Shafer Foundation, spoke about the legacy of support that the late philanthropists blazed…


Muncie’s Laurie Lunsford Releases 2nd Children’s Book: “Wait, Katie, Wait”

Muncie, IN—Laurie Lunsford’s 2nd children’s book was released this month. “Wait, Katie, Wait” will be offered and signed at the Minnetrista Farmer’s Market on Saturday and the U.U. Bazaar in the Woods on November 1st. It is a book about savoring the moment. It is written for ages 2-7.  Katie spends a week with Grandpa. They go to the river to fish, to the farmer’s market, for a walk in the rain, and many other experiences together. They slow down to enjoy each moment. Grandpa is the hero as he teaches Katie to look around her and not to run ahead….


Second Harvest Tailgate at Borg Warner On October 13th

By: Karen McTague—  Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana will provide food* for families in need at the monthly Tailgate distribution from 9 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13. The Tailgate will be held at Borg Warner in the parking lot across the street on the north side of State Road 32, West Kilgore Ave. in Muncie. The lot will open at 6 a.m. The distribution is while supplies last, and there is a limit of three families per vehicle. Individuals will have the opportunity to receive flu shots for $10 each, if desired. Tailgates are not possible without…


“Celebrity Spelling Bee” Oct. 20 to Benefit Motivate Our Minds

By: Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE – Motivate Our Minds is buzzing with excitement! MOMs will have its first “Celebrity Spelling Bee” Oct. 20 at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. A pre-event reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the spelling will begin at 6. Teams led by local celebrities will be competing for the prestigious traveling Celebrity Spelling Bee trophy, along with prizes for the biggest fundraiser and more. “Hosting our first-ever celebrity spelling bee is a fun and entertaining departure from our annual fundraising dinner and a natural fit for Motivate Our Minds,” said Monique Armstrong, Executive Director of MOMs….


Photo Gallery: ArtsWalk 2016 in DWNTWN Muncie

By: Mike Rhodes— ArtsWalk 2016 kicked off at 4pm Thursday with a dedication ceremony for Delaware County’s Indiana Bison-tennial Public Art Project. Jenni Marsh presented details about the history, funding and partners of the project. Mayor Dennis Tyler presented a proclamation during the dedication. Artist Denise King designed the bison by incorporating images and patterns of the native Lenape—including beadwork and other design elements. The bison was in the Muncie Fieldhouse on October 27th during a convocation with 1000 4th graders. 300 students submitted names for the bison and the winning name was announced at the dedication. Tristan Parks, from Royerton Elementary named…