Articles by Mike Rhodes

IDEA Conference 2024: All Dressed Up and So Much to Learn

By Michelle Kinsey— MUNCIE, IN—More than 130 people attended this year’s IDEA conference March 2 on the campus of Ball State University. And during his opening remarks, Mitch Isaacs said they all had something in common. “We all love Muncie,” Isaacs, Executive Director of Shafer Leadership Academy, said. “We all love our community.” The Intentional Development and Education for Association (IDEA) conference brings together citizens and leaders representing Muncie’s neighborhoods to develop and strengthen community-building skills. IDEA presenters provide leadership…

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Altrusa Foundation Awards Grant to Isaiah 117 House

By Colleen Cooper, Altrusa Foundation— MUNCIE, IN—The Altrusa Foundation of Muncie awarded a $10,000 one-time impact grant to Isaiah 117 House, a non-profit organization, building a house in Delaware county. This grant is awarded in celebration of the Foundation’s 40thanniversary, which also coincides with the Altrusa Club of Muncie’s centennial anniversary (2023). The grant’s purpose is to provide funding for educational and other charitable purposes. Isaiah 117 House reduces trauma in foster children by providing a safe, loving transition from…


I&M to Conduct Aerial Tree Trimming in Delaware County

By Tracy Warner—  FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, will trim trees around transmission power lines in East-Central and Southeast Indiana using an aerial saw beginning Monday, March 11, and continuing for about two weeks. The work is routine maintenance to remove branches that can interfere with service reliability and pose potential safety hazards. Trimming will take place, weather permitting, on Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. near…


Delaware County Special Needs Prom Celebrates 10th Anniversary

By Alyson Madsen— MUNCIE, IN—Lynne Hatfield could write a book about creating an event. Approaching the tenth anniversary of The Delaware County Special Needs Prom (DCSNP), Hatfield is excited to host this annual celebration of inclusion and fun. Open to revelers ages 16-70, the prom has grown vastly in its scope, continuing to wow those lucky enough to attend. Slated for May 18 at The Horizon Convention Center, eight-hundred people are expected to attend. The genesis of the prom began…


Seed Swap & Giveaway Event Cultivates Community and Sustainability

By Brea Cunningham— MUNCIE, IN—Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank and Red-tail Land Conservancy, is thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated Seed Swap & Giveaway event, scheduled for March 16, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon. The Seed Swap & Giveaway, currently in its 6th year, has been held at different locations annually. It remains a cornerstone of Minnetrista’s dedication to promoting community engagement, preserving biodiversity, and advocating for sustainable gardening practices….


Delaware County Indiana Emergency Management Agency Prepares for April 8th Total Solar Eclipse

By Kyle Johnson— DELAWARE COUNTY INDIANA—With the eagerly anticipated Total Solar Eclipse of April 8th,2024 a little over a month away, the Delaware County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (DCEMA) has been diligently preparing to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and visitors during this extraordinary celestial event. Over the past year, DCEMA has engaged in comprehensive planning efforts, including attending state-wide seminars and conducting multiple meetings with local agencies and government representatives to address the potential impacts…


East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra FREE Concert on March 16th

By Kathy Huggler— East Central Indiana Chamber Orchestra (ECICO) is collaborating with Cole Academy of Dance, Gymnastics, & Cheerleading to deliver a lively and varied music program – which takes place on stage in the Muncie Central High School Auditorium, on Saturday, March 16 at 7 pm. The public is invited to help celebrate the ‘2024 Return-of-the-Sun’ by attending this free concert given by the ECICO and its Guest Artists: Alto Saxophone Soloist George Wolfe:  BSU Professor Emeritus of Music…


Find Your Place: DWNTWN Muncie Unveils New Website

By Meghan Andrews— MUNCIE, IN—Downtown Muncie, a beacon of vibrancy and community spirit, announces the launch of its dynamic new website, inviting residents and visitors alike to embark on a journey of discovery and connection. With the unveiling of DowntownMuncie.org, individuals can now “Find Your Place” in the heart of Muncie’s bustling downtown scene. The newly designed website serves as a central hub for exploring the rich tapestry of downtown Muncie, offering an array of resources, event listings, and interactive…


Muncie Artist Carrie Wright Chosen for Hoosier Women Artists Exhibition

By Mike Rhodes, Editor-in-Chief— MUNCIE, IN—The Hoosier Women Artists program was created in 2008 to celebrate and expand the role art plays in our communities. Each year female Indiana artists are encouraged to submit artwork for consideration. The pieces chosen are then displayed for the year in the Statehouse offices of female elected officials, including in 2024: Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver, and Chief Justice Loretta Rush. First…


Ball State Student, Local Native Trey Mathews Awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

By Ball State Marketing and Communications— MUNCIE, IN – Trey Mathews, a Muncie, Ind., native and sophomore Honors College student at Ball State University, has been awarded a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to support his study abroad endeavors. This federally-funded, nationally competitive program provides up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students pursuing academic studies abroad to better prepare them to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world. Additional support is available to selected students who…