Articles by Mike Rhodes

Charles W. Brown Planetarium projection system.

Entertainment October 26, 2023

4th Annual Astronomy Slam to Take Place on November 4th

By Planetarium staff— MUNCIE, IN—One dome, a passion for astronomy, and 10 minutes. That is what four Ball State students have to work with to impress you, the audience, for their chance to become this year’s Astronomy Slam Champion. Experience what excites Ball State students about astronomy at the 4th annual Astronomy Slam hosted by the Charles W. Brown Planetarium. During this event, students use planetarium visuals to help them present in the most creative way they can. Audience members…

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From left: Teanna Evans, Lanisha Huggins, Tamica Crumes, Kara Sage, Jeannine Lee Ferrer and Mary Snyder. Standing in the back of the women is George Huggins, whose parents started Feed My Sheep in 1996. File photo

Non-Profit October 26, 2023

‘Feed My Sheep’ Begins Thanksgiving Food Drive This Week

By Jeannine Lee Ferrer, Feed My Sheep Chair— MUNCIE, IN—Are you ready for the return of the largest free holiday dinner giveaway in East Central Indiana? The 28th annual Feed My Sheep Thanksgiving Day Community Outreach, will be held this year on Thursday November 23rd from 10 a.m.-12 noon at Northside Middle School. I am the chair of this amazing organization and thrilled to say that Feed My Sheep is finally ready to return to our in-house Thanksgiving Day dinner…

MPL Library Director, standing at right, poses with Southside Middle School students at a 2023 school event. Photo provided by Muncie Public Library.

Non-Profit October 25, 2023

Muncie Public Library Director Announces Retirement

By Susan Fisher, PR Supervisor, Muncie Public Library— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie Public Library Director Akilah S. Nosakhere recently announced that she will retire on March 1, 2024. The MPL Board of Trustees Personnel Committee, chaired by Traci Lutton, will establish a committee to conduct a search in the coming months in an effort to fill the position. Nosakhere joined MPL as Library Director in January of 2017. She previously worked for MPL in 1985 as a database developer as part of…

Education October 24, 2023

TechWise Academy Named Region 7 Out-of-School Time STEM Leader

By Ryan Hunter— MUNCIE, IN—TechWise Academy powered by the Innovation Connector, is excited to announce that they have been chosen as the Region 7 leader for the 2023-2024 Indiana Afterschool Network Regional Leadership Project. The project is a partnership with Million Girls Moonshot, to identify out-of-school time STEM programs to operate as Regional Leaders, setting an example of high-quality STEM programming across Indiana and supporting other STEM programs in their efforts to begin, strengthen, and/or deepen their STEM practices. The…

Unitarian Universalist Church

Entertainment October 24, 2023

Unitarian Universalist Church Bazaar in the Woods Still Going Strong in Its 125th Year

By Sue Errington— MUNCIE, IN—The Bazaar in the Woods – now in its 125th consecutive year – will welcome shoppers of all ages on Saturday, November 4, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie, 4800 W. Bradford Dr. Start the day with a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, coffee, milk and orange juice at the Chalice Cafe, 800 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. or take a lunch break of chili (regular or vegetarian), cornbread (regular or Gluten-free),…

Photo provided

Business October 24, 2023

DWNTWN Costumed Creature Crawl This Saturday

By Cheryl Crowder, Downtown Development— MUNCIE, IN—Calling all creatures great and small! Bring your human DWNTWN Saturday, October 28, from 12–3 p.m. and show off their creativity. All furry, feathered, scaled, hairy, or hairless costumed friends are welcome. Humans must be leashed to their creatures. FREE to participate. 11:30 A.M. Parade line-up will begin at the County Building (Main & Walnut) 12:00 P.M. Parade starts and will proceed to Canan Commons. Judging will be held at the Canan Commons Stage….

Photo provided by Ball State University

Education October 23, 2023

Ball State Launches ‘Our Call to Beneficence,’ Largest Capital Campaign in University’s History

By Ball State Marketing & Communications— MUNCIE, IN – On Friday evening, Ball State University publicly launched “Our Call to Beneficence,” the most ambitious comprehensive fundraising campaign in the University’s history. The campaign’s $350 million fundraising goal builds upon Ball State’s ongoing successes to achieve the goals articulated in the University’s strategic plan. Fueled by the generous support of graduates and benefactors, “Our Call to Beneficence” focuses on three pillars to enhance the University’s mission: student opportunity and success; the…

Photo provided

Non-Profit October 23, 2023

Jump Into Jewelry Making With the ‘Radical Jewelry Makeover’ 

By Erin Williams— MUNCIE, IN—The Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts.org) and PlySpace, an artist in residence program funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, offer a calendar of thought-provoking events this fall as part of the Radical Jewelry Makeover.  Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) has been traveling nationally and internationally to communities since 2007, educating the public and jewelers of all levels about mining and material sourcing issues involved in jewelry making. Currently, materials…

Business October 22, 2023

Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce to Host Annual Meeting and Dinner

By Katy Maggart— Muncie, IN— The Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce will honor its members for their impact on our community at their 129th Annual Meeting & Dinner on Thursday, October 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Horizon Convention Center. Each year, the Chamber presents five prestigious awards at the Annual Dinner. The Chamber has revamped the awards this year to even better represent the community and members. The awards include: Spirit of Small Business Award The Spirit of Small…

Pictured L-R: Judge Maria Granger, Judge Kimberly Dowling, Chief Justice Loretta Rush

Government October 20, 2023

Judge Kimberly Dowling Honored With Indiana Judges Association Award

By Indiana Judges Association— INDIANAPOLIS, IN—Kimberly S. Dowling, Judge, Delaware Circuit Court 2, is the 2023 winner of the annual Excellence in Public Information and Education Award.  The award is bestowed by the Indiana Judges Association for fostering positive community information and education about the law. Dowling was nominated by her fellow judges for her work in educating the public about child victims of human trafficking and how to identify those children.  Dowling has educated law enforcement, probation officers, civic…