Articles by Mike Rhodes

Pretreatment Program Continues to Protect Muncie’s White River from Industrial Pollutants

By: Rick Conrad— The Muncie Sanitary District’s Bureau of Water Quality recently received the results of an Indiana Department of Environmental Management periodic audit of its industrial pretreatment program. Muncie’s program, headed by Director Rick Conrad, is the local water quality testing and enforcement agency responsible for ensuring industries treat their potentially toxic wastewater before it can reach the White River or its tributaries. Since the establishment of this program by John Craddock in 1972, the Bureau of Water Quality’s rigorous permitting, chemical sampling, and biological assessments have helped clean-up a river once devastated by toxic levels of heavy metals….

Read More

Cornerstone to Offer Eight Week Classes This Summer

Muncie, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts will offer a series of classes this summer for youth, families and adults in a wide variety of areas. The Summer Eight Week Class Session begins the week of June 6th and continues through July 29th. Cornerstone’s class fees are affordable, one-time payments that cover the full eight weeks of class. Areas of interest include: visual arts, theatre, dance, fitness, and music. Children and families classes include: Early Ballet I & II, Early Ballet for ages 1-2, Youth Ballet I, Family Dance Time, Early Tap I & II, Youth Tap, Early Hip Hop Jazz…


Muncie Mall’s New Mall Walker Program Begins May 3rd

Muncie, In —Muncie Mall, East Central Indiana’s family-friendly shopping destination, will launch the Mall Walker Program on Tuesday, May 3rd  to support the healthy lifestyles of Muncie residents. This initiative, sponsored by Waters Edge Village, will feature monthly breakfasts, early access to Muncie Mall and added amenities. “We’re proud to provide this new program for our loyal customers to enjoy,” said Amanda Stickann, marketing director at Muncie Mall. “Muncie Mall is the place for residents to stay active while shopping, dining and relaxing in an enclosed, climate-controlled setting.” The Mall Walker Program breakfasts will be held the first Tuesday of…


Outdoor Farmers Market Begins May 7th at Minnetrista

Muncie, IN—Breathe in the spring air and find market-fresh produce at Farmers Market at Minnetrista! The Outdoor Market begins May 7, and takes place from 8 a.m. to noon, every Saturday through October. “Outdoor market is a great time to spice up your life with a variety of fresh produce,” said Farmers Market Coordinator Rosemary Tankersley. “Come often and learn about the many different varieties of produce that are offered throughout the season, and don’t forget, this food is as real as it gets; fresh from the farm!” While you’re finding fresh ingredients for your cooking and canning recipes on…


Local Teachers Awarded Funding for Creative Classroom Projects

Muncie, IN— Local teachers will receive $3,480 in Robert P. Bell Education Grants from The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. More than 750 students will benefit in this final grant cycle of the academic year. Awards of up to $450 are available through the Bell Grants program. Funded projects are innovative ideas or programs designed to stimulate learning in students. Delaware County teachers may apply throughout the year over four grant cycles.  More than $12,500 was awarded during the 2015-2016 academic year.  The deadline for the first round of grants in the 2016-2017 academic year is October 1, 2016. For more…


Delaware County Fair Board Honors Larry Clendenin

By: Shawn Rogers for the Muncie Journal— In 1979 when Larry Clendenin first became a member of the Delaware County Fair board, the buildings on the fairgrounds were not all numbered. In the years since, they have been identified by numbers. The building directly across from the Dinner Bell restaurant has always been close to Clendenin’s heart, as it was the home for the sheep. Clendenin’s children showed sheep during their years in 4-H. Larry was also past executive director of the Indiana Sheep Breeders association. That building is even more special now to Clendenin, as it bears now his name….


Land Conservation Fund Grant Applications Now Available

Muncie, IN – The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has announced the availability of applications for matching grants through the Foundation’s Land Conservation Fund. The Land Conservation Fund was created to preserve and protect important conservation and recreation areas throughout Delaware County or those owned by Delaware County organizations by matching donations of land or dollars. Property acquired with Land Conservation Fund Grants will become part of the public trust to ensure that the land is protected for future generations of Hoosiers to use and enjoy. Acquisition of property for conservation is the only project type eligible…


Celebrating Earth Day Season

By: Susan Fisher— What’s Earth Day Season? You’ve probably heard about Earth Day, which is celebrated around the world on April 22nd each year since it first began in 1970. The day is dedicated to spreading the word about protecting the environment and using natural resources wisely. But have you heard of Earth Day Season? That’s a term coined by Wayne Meyer, a Green Team Coordinator at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie (UUCM) to describe the many activities taking place in Muncie throughout the last part of April. The UUCM was a recipient of a Solar Uniting Neighbors (SUN)…


Delaware County Celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week May 1-7, 2016

By: The Muncie Visitors Bureau— National Travel and Tourism Week is a national event when America salutes travel and tourism. Across the nation, travel and tourism professionals celebrate and promote the impactful contributions of the travel market. The Muncie Visitors Bureau will kick off local NTTW early on April 18th.  The celebration will have a wrap-up event during First Thursday in DWNTWN Muncie. Why is tourism important in Muncie and Delaware County?  Yes, tourism provides unique experiences, museums, local dining, events, lodging and more. Muncie and Delaware County has all the things that create a great destination experience. Things that other communities…


The Muncie Symphony Orchestra Presents “Night at the Opera”

By: Tracy Dishman— Muncie, IN – Long before Downtown Abbey mesmerized audiences, Carmen flirted with Don José. Figaro married Susanna. And ‘Butterfly’ deeply loved Lt. Pinkerton. Join the Muncie Symphony Orchestra and guests for “Night at the Opera”, Saturday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Emens Auditorium. Tickets start at $20 for adults in advance and $5 for youth, K – 12. Contact the Emens Box Office at 765.285.1539 or visit munciesymphony.org. “’Night at the Opera’ is basically opera’s greatest hits. We’ll have overtures, solo arias, duets, and the largest opera chorus in the land with the Masterworks Chorale and Ball…