Articles by Mike Rhodes

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Entertainment May 9, 2024

Celebrate Horticulture, Music, and Community at Minnetrista’s Garden Fair This Friday-Saturday

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE,IN—The countdown is on for this year’s much-anticipated Garden Fair, a vibrant festival of all things green and beautiful, on Friday, May 10th, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, May 11th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Taking place against the breathtaking backdrop of Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, this annual festival invites visitors of all ages to indulge in two days of fun-filled activities, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. Garden Fair is more than just a…

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Daleville Junior/Senior High School senior Trevor Swingley. Photo by Thomas Peek

Business, Education May 9, 2024

Trevor Swingley—Member of Pridemark Construction’s ‘Future Leaders of America’ Series

Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction. By Stacey A. Shannon— DALEVILLE, IN—Daleville Junior/Senior High School senior Trevor Swingley has had a busy high school career. With sports, student government, academics and work, Swingley worked hard to achieve his goals. Basketball has been a lifelong love for Swingley. He has been a member of the basketball…

The offices of Woof Boom Radio located at 800 E. 29th Street in Muncie. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Education May 8, 2024

10th Annual Morry Mannies Woof Boom Radio Scholarship Winners Chosen

By Megan Orbin— MUNCIE, IN—Woof Boom Radio is happy to announce the winners for the 10th Annual Morry Mannies Woof Boom Radio Scholarship. We want to congratulate each of the nominees for their achievements this season and overall career as student-athletes. We have awarded $34,200 to 34 student-athletes in the last ten years. Woof Boom Radio funds a scholarship program for athletes from the schools we cover each year, be it through WMUN “The Talk of Muncie” or on Oldies…

The INOX Market America facility located in the industrial center. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Business May 8, 2024

Soft Landings: Accelerating the Expansion of Foreign Companies in Delaware County, Indiana

By Ted Baker, CEO/Executive Director, Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc.— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc., in partnership with Delaware County Economic Development, is pleased to announce the award designation as a Soft Landings site by the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA).  A Soft Landings designation recognizes entrepreneur support organizations that ensure foreign businesses experience a “soft landing” when entering a new country and community to establish a business. Per the InBIA, “We recognize the rapid growth in the need for…

Business May 7, 2024

Indiana and Michigan Thunderstorm Preparations

By I&M— FORT WAYNE—Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected across the Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) service territory this afternoon and into this evening. We are closely monitoring the weather system and have lineworkers, damage assessors, tree trimming experts and contract crews ready to respond if needed. These storms are predicted to bring damaging 60-70 mph winds, which could lead to downed trees, power outages, local flooding and travel problems. BE PREPARED Charge Devices: Charge phones, laptops, tablets and other electronics…

The white area in the center of the picture above is the damaged brain area caused by Mike Rhodes' ischemic stroke in 2020. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Health May 7, 2024

Protect Your Heart and Brain During American Stroke Month This May

By Tim Harms, American Heart Association— INDIANAPOLIS— Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke and 1 in 4 stroke survivors will have another one. During May, American Stroke Month, the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is raising awareness nationwide that stroke is largely preventable, treatable and beatable. Here are 3 ways you can act now to beat stroke: Learn how to spot a stroke F.A.S.T. If you see Face drooping, Arm weakness or…

Mark Hardwick (L) and James Williams (R). Photos courtesy of First Merchants Bank and DeFur Voran.  

Non-Profit May 7, 2024

George and Frances Ball Foundation Announces Election of Two New Directors

By Kelsey Harrington— MUNCIE, IN—Two community leaders, Mark Hardwick of First Merchants Corporation and James Williams of DeFur Voran, were recently elected to the George and Frances Ball Foundation’s Board of Directors. The GFBF Board oversees the Foundation’s annual grantmaking, as well as provides guidance and leadership for its Cradle to Career Muncie initiative. Hardwick and Williams were added to the Board with this in mind, bringing with them a breadth of knowledge and experience in specific, local industry needs,…

The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County awarded 22 local teachers Robert P. Bell Education grants totaling $9,226.20. These grants are awarded to teachers with innovative ideas, programs, or projects related to a classroom unit or lesson. Yorktown Middle School teacher Taryn McKnight was awarded a Bell Grant for a project titled Playing "Sports" in Wonderland. Photo provided

Non-Profit May 6, 2024

Teachers Benefit from $9K in Grants for Creative and Innovative Classroom Projects

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN – It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County is proud to support teachers throughout Delaware County. The Robert P. Bell Education Grants Program at The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County provides teachers with grants to support projects that stimulate student learning. During the 2023-24 school year, 22 local teachers were awarded Robert P. Bell Education Grants totaling $9,226.20. Teachers often have instructional ideas they would like to implement…

Education May 6, 2024

Community Foundation Announces 2024 Scholarship Recipients – Announcement 1

By Kallie Sulanke— MUNCIE, IN—Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients: Ava Capes, a senior at Daleville Jr./Sr. High School, is a recipient of the Arthur D. and Josephine M. Robling Scholarship and the Bobby Watters Scholarship. Ava plans to study Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics at Anderson University. She is the daughter of Amanda Capes and Matthew Capes. Megan Cook, a senior at Yorktown High School, is a recipient of the Carolyn A. Lucas Scholarship. Megan plans to…

Stedman Graham is pictured with Steve Lindell during a WMUN radio interview earlier today. You can listen to the interview in the story below. Photo by Mike Rhodes

Education May 3, 2024

Stedman Graham to Address Ball State University Graduates at 2024 Spring Commencement

By University Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University next month will confer approximately 3,000 doctoral, specialist, master’s, and baccalaureate degrees at its 2024 Spring Commencement ceremony. The University’s 198th Commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, in the Quad, followed by individual college ceremonies throughout the day at Worthen Arena and Emens Auditorium. Stedman Graham, a New York Times bestselling author, educator, business advisor, and 1989 Ball State University graduate, will deliver the address…