Articles by Mike Rhodes

The 2017 partial solar eclipse at Ball State as photographed through a solar filter. Photo provided by Ball State

Entertainment September 28, 2023

Residents in Indiana Will Soon Be in the Path of Two Solar Eclipses Starting in October 2023

By Ball State University’s Charles W. Brown Planetarium— MUNCIE, IN—Indiana residents will have the rare opportunity to view two solar eclipses in the upcoming months. You may have heard about the total solar eclipse coming to most Indiana cities in April 2024. There is also a partial solar eclipse happening during the day on October 14 throughout all of Indiana. The last partial solar eclipse visible from Indiana cities, such as Muncie, was back in 2017. This is recent compared…

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The winners of the 2017 Mayor's Arts Awards presented at Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Business September 27, 2023

Mayor’s Arts Awards to Honor Local Artists, Advocates on Sept. 30th 

 By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN – The office of Mayor Dan Ridenour and the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts) are excited to announce the nominees for the 2023 Mayor’s Arts Awards. This will be the 5th biennial celebration recognizing the exceptional contributions made to our cultural community by individuals and organizations.  The Mayor’s Arts Awards ceremony will be Saturday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Southside Middle School, followed by a community party – open to all – at…

Find out about what's challenging our girls by reading the article below. Photo provided

Health, Non-Profit September 27, 2023

First of its Kind ‘Indiana Girl Report’ Provides Statewide Data on Challenges Girls Experience

By Dawn Brand Fluhler—  INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Girl Scouts is proud to release The Indiana Girl Report. The groundbreaking report was commissioned through the Indiana Youth Institute in collaboration with Girl Scout councils from across the state and the Girl Coalition of Indiana. The report is the very first of its kind and was developed through qualitative and quantitative research to provide insight into critical challenges girls are experiencing and the variances across the state. The report’s findings create a…

Suzanne Smith, CEO and founder of Social Impact Architects will be the featured speaker. Photo provided

Non-Profit September 26, 2023

Nonprofit Support Network Announces Inaugural Nonprofit Summit and Community Luncheon

By Carly Acree King— MUNCIE, IN – Nonprofit Support Network is thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for its inaugural Nonprofit Summit presented by Northwest Bank. The summit is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Horizon Convention Center. This groundbreaking event aims to raise awareness about the Nonprofit Support Network’s invaluable work while providing access to education and professional development opportunities within the local community. The Nonprofit Summit offers a day…

Muncie Power Products employee Ben Gillum volunteered at United Day Care Center as part of Heart of Indiana United Way's 2022 Day of Action.

Non-Profit September 25, 2023

Heart-to-Heart Connections: Expanding Our Impact to Touch More Lives

By Jenni Marsh—  MUNCIE, IN—In compiling this year’s annual report, our team was amazed by the extraordinary impact Heart of Indiana United Way was able to achieve over the past year—thanks to:  • Donors—there were 3,350 of them! • Volunteers—1,306 volunteers gave their time and talent! • Champions—used their voice to advocate for neighbors and friends!  Our mission has always been to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person. Our commitment to fostering stronger, healthier, and…

Students are pictured outside the familiar Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Honors College House. Photo provided

Education September 22, 2023

Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry Integrates into Ball State University’s Honors College

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Ball State University has announced that the Virginia B. Ball Center for Creative Inquiry (VBC)—the birthplace of Ball State’s signature brand of Immersive Learning—is being integrated into the University’s Honors College. This change will give VBC increased visibility, and allow it to contribute more fully to the overall campus experience through increased staffing and administrative support. In addition to being integrated into Honors Colleges, VBC will move from the Kitselman Center,…

Networking in your Marketing Strategy, will be led by Dr. Anna Stumpf. Photo provided

Business September 22, 2023

New Monthly Interactive Marketing Sessions Coming to Muncie, IN

By Melissa Narlock—  MUNCIE, IN — Marketing professionals, business owners, and students are invited to Intersessions, a series of interactive marketing sessions powered by Intersection. The inaugural session is set to make its debut on Tuesday, September 26. These free monthly sessions, hosted at the Innovation Connector, aim to provide attendees with industry insights, actionable strategies, and opportunities to build valuable connections.    In today’s rapidly evolving world of marketing, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Intersessions is designed to…

A sample home by DR Horton Homebuilders. Photo provided

Government September 21, 2023

All 34 Lots of Storer Estates Sold to DR Horton Homebuilders

By Michele Owen, City of Muncie—  MUNCIE, IN—At Thursday morning’s Muncie Redevelopment Commission meeting, board members approved a purchase agreement of all 34 lots at Storer Estates. The project has involved developing the site of the former Storer Elementary school into a subdivision with 34 lots, a dry retention pond, and a park. The City has recently paved the streets in the subdivision and added a walking trail.  Mayor Ridenour explained that DR Horton, the largest home builder in the…

Back row: Jennifer Gasiorek, Keith Mason, Jaleigh Moore, Jacey Stevens, Sofia Smith, Kate Thornburg, Maci Ramsey, Alyssa Barton, Hope Grant, Matt Connell, Chancellor Jeffrey Scott Front row: President Sue Ellspermann, Brittany Davis, Rebekah Ireland, Gracie Navarro, CJ Duncan, Jack Roberts, Abigail Street, Mackenzie Pryor, Hailie Ronan, Carolyn Brown. Not pictured: Kennedy Martinez

Education September 21, 2023

Muncie’s Ivy Tech Held the Ivy+ Healthcare Academy for High School Students

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN – Over the eight-week summer semester at Ivy Tech Community College Muncie-Henry County, 14 high school students hailing from schools across Delaware County participated in the Ivy+ Healthcare Academy, powered by United Healthcare. These students successfully completed five skills training sessions and three Ivy Tech courses, earning four and a half credits from Ivy Tech. The Healthcare Academy was conceived through a collaborative effort between United Healthcare and Ivy Tech, aimed at ensuring the future of…

Communications and Outreach Manager Kelley Phillips, and IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess.

Non-Profit September 21, 2023

Red-tail Land Conservancy Wins 2023 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— INDIANAPOLIS, IN—If you are a frequent viewer of MuncieJournal.com, you may remember many of the stories we’ve published about the work of the Red-tail Land Conservancy. On Wednesday of this week, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) awarded a 2023 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence to Red-tail Land Conservancy during the annual Partners for Pollution Prevention Conference and Tradeshow in Indianapolis. “This is the highest environmental award in the state,” said Kelly Phillips, Communications and…