Articles by Mike Rhodes

Honoring 100 Years While Building What’s Next: Cornerstone Center for the Arts Welcomes New ED and Launches $100,000 Campaign

By Cornerstone Board of Directors— MUNCIE, IN—Cornerstone Center for the Arts is celebrating a milestone year in 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of the historic Muncie Masonic Temple while stepping into an exciting new chapter of leadership and community impact. To kick off the celebration, Cornerstone hosted Illuminate the Arts, welcoming more than 230 guests for an evening of performances, storytelling, and connection. Highlights included a musical presentation by the Masterworks Chorale, a historical panel in partnership with the Delaware County Historical Society, and the debut of a new documentary exploring the building’s transformation over the past century. The film…

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Family Adventure Day at Minnetrista is Wednesday, March 25

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, invites families and friends to celebrate the season at Family Adventure Day on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. This free, campus-wide event offers a full day of hands-on activities, interactive experiences, and opportunities to explore together across Minnetrista’s gardens, exhibitions, and outdoor spaces. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests are encouraged to enjoy a choose-your-own-adventure experience across campus. Designed to bring families together through shared experiences, the day encourages exploration, creativity, and connection across generations. Check-in will take place at the Center Building. In addition to interactive activities, guests can explore Minnetrista’s current exhibitions,…


Ball State Tabs Chris Capko as Cardinals’ 21st Head Men’s Basketball Coach

By Ball State Athletics— MUNCIE, IN—Recognized as one of the nation’s top assistant basketball coaches with a proven track record in recruiting and player development, Chris Capko has been named Ball State University’s 21st head men’s basketball coach. Currently the associate head coach with Southern Methodist University and active this week with the Mustangs in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, Capko has spent the past 10 seasons under coach Andy Enfield at both SMU and USC. SMU was lauded this past year for landing the nation’s fourth-ranked recruiting class, and with that class the Mustangs reached the NCAA…


YWCA Central Indiana Finalizes Purchase of Former Garfield Elementary School

By Kari Wissel— MUNCIE, IN—YWCA Central Indiana officially finalized its purchase of the former Garfield Elementary School on Friday, marking a major milestone in expanding services for women and families across Central Indiana. The organization will transform the historic building into a hub for expanded programming focused on economic stability, housing support, neighborhood resources, and educational opportunities for children. This new space will create pathways to safety and opportunity for women and families. “Today is long overdue and marks a pivotal step forward for our organization and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Kiesha Warren-Gordon, Chair of the YWCA Central…


Mitch Isaacs of Shafer Leadership Academy to Keynote Valparaiso Community Conference

By Arrick Garringer — VALPARAISO, IN — Shafer Leadership Academy Executive Director Mitch Isaacs will serve as the keynote speaker for the upcoming Valparaiso Community Conference, taking place Thursday, April 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Harre Union at Valparaiso University. Hosted by the City of Valparaiso, the Community Conference brings together residents, city leaders, and community partners for a day of learning, dialogue, and connection focused on strengthening Valparaiso’s neighborhoods and civic life. Isaacs’ interactive keynote, “Reading the Room: Building Meaningful Connections,” will explore the role of nonverbal communication in everyday interactions. Through real-life examples, humor, and audience…


Siobhan Gillespie Leads the Next Generation of Ivy Tech Muncie Physical Therapist Assistant Students

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, IN – Siobhan Gillespie’s journey to the front of the classroom at Ivy Tech Community College Muncie didn’t begin with a lifelong plan for academia. It began with a GED, a job as a manager at McDonald’s, and a back injury that changed her life. Today, as an Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, Gillespie is using her full-circle experience to help lead the very Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program that launched her career. After overcoming the challenges of being a working mother and a non-traditional student, Gillespie now combines the stern “suck it…


Magic City Sip & Savor Comes to Downtown Muncie April 4

By Cheryl Crowder, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership— MUNCIE, IN — A new downtown tasting experience is coming to MadJax this spring, bringing together craft beverages, culinary creativity, music, and local makers for an afternoon celebrating the flavors and talent of the Muncie community. Magic City Sip & Savor will take place Saturday, April 4, from 2–5 p.m. at MadJax in DWNTWN Muncie. Inspired by the spirit of the beloved Magic City Brewfest, the event expands the concept to include a broader range of beverages, food experiences, live music, and interactive maker moments, according to Cheryl Crowder, Events Director for Muncie…


United Day Care of Delaware County, Inc. Receives Grant From IU Health

Applications are now open for the 2026 Community Impact Investment Fund grant cycle to advance infant and maternal health By IU Health Indianapolis— INDIANAPOLIS—Indiana University Health has awarded $3.7 million to four community organizations working to improve infant and maternal health outcomes in Indiana. The grants come from the Community Impact Investment Fund (CIIF), which is administered by Indiana University Health Foundation, to address key social and environmental factors that impact people’s health outcomes. Yearly grants come from earnings on the fund’s invested capital. Since the fund’s inception in 2018, IU Health has awarded more than $41.6 million in CIIF…


Growing Together: Community Seed Swap & Giveaway Returns to Minnetrista on March 21 

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, in partnership with Red-tail Land Conservancy, Delaware County Invasive Plant Project, the Master Gardeners of Delaware County, and the East Central chapter of the Indiana Native Plant Society, invites the community to come together for the annual Community Seed Swap & Giveaway, taking place March 21, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon. Now in its 8th year, the Community Seed Swap & Giveaway has become a favorite spring tradition—bringing together gardeners, families, and nature enthusiasts to celebrate sustainable gardening, biodiversity, and shared stewardship of the land. The event reflects Minnetrista’s ongoing commitment…


Indiana American Water Provides Customers with Leak-Saving Tips During ‘Fix a Leak’ Week 2026

By Indiana American Water— GREENWOOD – Indiana American Water is recognizing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fix a Leak Week 2026 by sharing simple, practical tips customers can use to locate and address common household leaks that waste water, drive up bills, and strain home plumbing. “Finding and fixing leaks can help customers protect their water, homes, businesses and monthly bills,” said Kari Britto, Vice President of Operations, Indiana American Water. “At the same time, Indiana American Water is investing over $200 million annually for the next several years to modernize water and wastewater infrastructure in our 75 communities…