Articles by Mike Rhodes

Pokey Lafarge to Headline FREE Concert In Muncie, on Saturday, September 3rd

Entertainment August 24, 2016

Pokey Lafarge to Headline FREE Concert In Muncie, on Saturday, September 3rd

By: Rick Zigler— Muncie, IN – Rounder recording artist and Americana/country/swing musician Pokey Lafarge will perform in a FREE outdoor concert as part of the 2016 Muncie Three Trails Music Series. The concert will take place at 7:00 PM on Saturday, September 3rd at Canan Commons (500 S. Walnut St.) in the heart of downtown Muncie, IN. The Indianapolis-based Half Stepsisters will open. Pokey Lafarge and his seven-piece band play a unique mixture of Americana, hot swing, early jazz, country blues, and traditional folk and country, all wrapped around lyrics that tell vivid short stories from a Midwestern perspective. Stephen Thompson of NPR says that Lafarge’s music “…evokes the old-timey…

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City of Muncie Announces New Playground Equipment for Westside Park

Entertainment August 23, 2016

City of Muncie Announces New Playground Equipment for Westside Park

Muncie, IN— The City of Muncie, in its continued commitment to enhance the park system throughout the city, has purchased new playground equipment for Westside Park. The current equipment that includes a playground fort, slides, and swings will be removed starting after Labor Day weekend. Ancillary equipment that is still in good condition will be placed in various parks throughout the City. Citizens have been asking for new equipment for Westside for years. Other amenities in Westside Park include a little league sized baseball diamond, basketball courts, picnic shelters and picnic tables, shuffleboard court, and restroom facilities. Mayor Dennis Tyler said…

Ed Armantrout Named 2016 Recipient of The Community Foundation’s David Sursa Leadership Award

Non-Profit August 23, 2016

Ed Armantrout Named 2016 Recipient of The Community Foundation’s David Sursa Leadership Award

By: Kallie Sulanke— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc., has announced that Ed Armantrout has been awarded the 2016 David Sursa Leadership Award to recognize his years of dedicated service to A Better Way Services. Armantrout was nominated by A Better Way Services for his seven years of service as a member of their Board of Directors. He has held several leadership positions, including serving two years as President, one year as Vice President, and one year as Treasurer. He has also participated in the executive, nominating, finance, audit, facilities and fund development committees….

Muncie Red Lobster General Manager Receives Company’s Top Honor

Business August 23, 2016

Muncie Red Lobster General Manager Receives Company’s Top Honor

Red Lobster Recognizes Erin Sellers with Lighthouse Club Award  ORLANDO, FL – Erin Sellers, General Manager of the Red Lobster in Muncie, Indiana, has been presented with the company’s top honor – the Lighthouse Club Award. This prestigious award, which has been an integral part of the company’s culture for over 20 years, is presented annually to General Managers throughout North America. Award recipients are recognized for demonstrating outstanding leadership and living Red Lobster’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Genuine Caring, Hospitality, Teamwork, Excellence and Fun – while also achieving top financial performance in the company’s previous fiscal year. “Erin…

12 Delaware County Non-Profits Receive ,683 From The Community Foundation

Non-Profit August 20, 2016

12 Delaware County Non-Profits Receive $89,683 From The Community Foundation

By: Eunice Whitlock— Muncie, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc., awarded $89,683 to 12 non-profit organizations during the third Quarterly Competitive Grant cycle of 2016. The Community Foundation’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County for this generation and generations to come. Quarterly Competitive Grants are awarded to fund projects for which there is a demonstrable community benefit in one of the following areas of interest: arts and culture, human services, economic development, education and community betterment. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. is a publicly…

On the Mark, For the City: A Muncie Mural Project

Non-Profit August 20, 2016

On the Mark, For the City: A Muncie Mural Project

By: Braydee Euliss— MUNCIE, INDIANA – On the Mark, For the City: A Muncie Mural Project by We’re Trying Collective On the Mark, For the City is a collaborative mural project that aims to harness the power of art and creativity to celebrate the diversity of our community and its welcoming and inclusive nature. This week, We’re Trying Collective announces On the Mark, For the City, a collaborative mural project for the City of Muncie. Following the tragic events at the Orlando Pulse Nightclub, the collective was inspired to work hand-in-hand with the community to create a piece of public art that would celebrate the city’s acceptance of…

Meet Some of the New Principals At Muncie Community Schools

Education August 19, 2016

Meet Some of the New Principals At Muncie Community Schools

By: Ana Pichardo— Meet Chris Walker, New Central High School Principal Originally from Middletown, Indiana, Chris earned his bachelor of science degree from Ball State University and his master’s degree from Butler University. Currently in his fourteenth year as an educator, Chris Walker brings administrative experience with him as he embraces his role of building principal. His previous administrative roles include athletic director and associate principal. When asked what he likes most about his new role, Chris states, “Working with the students. They are truly inspiring.” While pursuing his own career, Chris credits his former teachers for inspiring him to…

John Carlson: Tiny Houses Spur Some Large Notions

Carlson August 19, 2016

John Carlson: Tiny Houses Spur Some Large Notions

By: John Carlson— MUNCIE, Ind. – If tiny houses are small, the interest surrounding them is not. “It’s big,” said Scott Quirk. As he spoke, the owner of The Barn Lot was sitting in his business’s cavernous south-side storage building. Nearby, an industrial-sized fan blew heat out the door, his dad, Mike, rested on a chair made of recycled milk jugs, and his friendly yellow lab Marley ambled over to check out a visitor. Outside on his sunny gravel lot sat numerous examples of tiny houses, the smallest measuring 8 x 12 feet, or 96-square-feet. At the other end of…

DreamFest Comes to the Fairgrounds on August 27th

Non-Profit August 18, 2016

DreamFest Comes to the Fairgrounds on August 27th

By: Molly Flodder— Muncie, IN—East Central Indiana’s first “experience festival” kicks off next weekend on Saturday, August 27, from 12 noon-5 p.m. DreamFest, a fundraiser for Muncie nonprofit TEAMwork for Quality Living, will give attendees of all ages the chance to “Dream. Learn. Do.” Those attending the event at the Delaware County Fairgrounds will have opportunities not only to observe activities in four zones, but to have hands-on experiences ranging from climbing a tree or learning belly dancing to being in the Stunt Jump or riding in the “World’s Slowest Bike Race.” Zones include Kids and Technology, Arts and Culture,…

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Applications Now Available

Education August 17, 2016

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Applications Now Available

Muncie, Ind. – New for the 2016-2017 academic year, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients will be named in December. Applications are now available from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. at www.cfmdin.org for high school seniors who will graduate in 2017. Students who qualify for this scholarship should submit an application to their guidance office by the deadline set by their school – either late August or early September. Each school will review their own applications and will submit recommendations to The Community Foundation Scholarship Committee no later than September 12, 2016. The 2017 recipients of the…