Articles by Mike Rhodes

Light Up Your Holidays During Enchanted Luminaria Walk at Minnetrista On December 6 and 7

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—Kick off the holiday season with a beautiful experience at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens.  Join us for our Enchanted Luminaria Walk on December 6 and 7, 2024, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. This magical, free community event offers something for everyone, promising warmth, wonder, and festive cheer for the whole family. Event Highlights: Three Miles of Enchanting Lights: Stroll through beautifully illuminated pathways that wind through our historic 40-acre campus. Live Music: Enjoy performances by America’s Hometown Band Jazz Ensemble, The Wesley Family, Blackford County Schools Blue Felt Jazz Band, Maevyn Stone, the Hot Jazz Holiday…

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MCHS Alumni Association Recognizes Distinguished Alumni for 2024, Elects Officers

By Sheryl Swingley— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Central High School Alumni Association at its annual meeting in November recognized three distinguished alumni and elected officers for 2025-2027. The three alumni recognized for their distinguished careers and contributions to their communities and Muncie Central were Joseph Stokes, who graduated in 1969; Angela Stone, 1988; and Kris Winningham, 1989. The first distinguished alumnus to be honored was Stokes, who has had a 50-year plus career in education, which began in Muncie. He was a classroom teacher for 17 years and was selected as Delaware County’s Outstanding Young Educator in 1980 before moving into…


Celebrate Holiday Arts and Culture Night at Ball State University on December 7

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—Holiday Arts & Culture Night is Saturday, December 7, on the Ball State University campus. Presented by Ball State’s Integrated Cultural Committee, the free festive event shines the holiday spotlight on many arts and culture spots along the campus Cultural Corridor. New this year is the Holiday Hub, located on the first floor of the Fine Arts building (please use Riverside Avenue entrance). Here visitors will find booths with information about the Integrated Cultural Committee, The Rinker Center, University Libraries, the Multicultural Center, and more! The first 200 people who visit the Holiday Hub will receive…


Ball State University Celebrates 10 Years of the Charles W. Brown Planetarium

By Ball State Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University this month is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Charles W. Brown Planetarium, the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in Indiana. Since its opening in November 2014, the planetarium has inspired more than 180,000 visitors of all ages, offering a gateway to the wonders of space through innovative and educational programming. The planetarium, named for Ball State alumnus and benefactor Charles W. Brown, boasts a 16-meter dome equipped with cutting-edge HYBRID technology. Its features include fulldome digital projectors and an opto-mechanical star projector capable of recreating the night sky…


Meridian’s ‘Holidays at Gresham’ Lights Up the Holiday Season on December 3

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN—Meridian Health Services invites the community to Holidays at Gresham, a free drive-thru light exhibit with over one million lights on display brought to you by Meridian Health Services and presenting sponsor American Electric Power Foundation. Attendees will enjoy driving through the many lighted exhibits including Candyland, seeing Mr. and Mrs. Claus, hearing the sounds of Christmas music, and feeling the holiday season in the air. Holidays at Gresham will be open every weekend in December from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Suzanne Gresham Center located at 3620 W. White River Blvd., Muncie, IN 47304….


‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Gavin Todd

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet. Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  


What Are You Thankful For This Thanksgiving 2024?

By Paul Ward— What are you thankful for? It’s a simple question to ask. The words roll off the tongue like a worn out cliché. Without a doubt many will gather around a dinner table with friends and family this year and ask each other this very same question. People may ask in regular conversation. Countless social media posts with this question will weave in and out of timelines and feeds. There will be many different answers to this question. Some will give deep philosophical or theological answers about life and God. Others will give seemingly more simple answers like…


Accessing Affordable Health Coverage During Open Enrollment: A Lifeline for Families in Delaware County

By Jenni Marsh— MUNCIE, IN—Open Enrollment for healthcare coverage is here, running from November 1 through January 15. This is the critical window for individuals and families who aren’t covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or employer-sponsored insurance to access health insurance that provides protection against unexpected medical costs and ensures access to preventive care. However, the enrollment process can often feel overwhelming, especially for those navigating it for the first time or those whose circumstances have recently changed. For those in Delaware County and surrounding areas—including Randolph, Jay, Blackford, and Grant Counties—United Way partner, Open Door Health Services, is the local…


‘Letters to Veterans’ From Area Students: Today’s Letter Written by Ava Gregory

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—Each year, November is designated as National Veterans and Military Families Month. During the month of November, MuncieJournal.com will be publishing Letters To Veterans, written by 7th graders and seniors from Cowan High School. We will be publishing one letter each day. This year’s Letters to Veterans special feature is sponsored by Sam Pierce Chevrolet.   Sam Pierce Chevrolet 12401 West County Road 550 South Daleville, IN 47334 Phone: 765-387-4287 https://www.sampiercechevy.com/  


Muncie, Indiana Awarded Tax Credits for $15.9 million ‘Together to House’ Supportive Housing Project

By Amber Greene— MUNCIE, IN—The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) has awarded tax credits to Muncie for its innovative “Together to House” project, a new supportive housing initiative aimed at addressing the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and low-income families. The funding, part of a highly competitive selection process, will support the development of 38 affordable housing units across multiple structures in the city, a $15.9 million project in total. Out of the 40 cities that applied for this prestigious funding, only 16 were granted tax credits, underscoring the significance of this award. The “Together to House” project…