Articles by Mike Rhodes

Garden Walk 2024 is Coming July 13

By Laurie Lunsford— MUNCIE, IN—Karen Ford is enthusiastically waiting for Saturday, July 13th  9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  There will be 6 beautiful gardens throughout the city that will be open for view at the annual Master Gardener Garden Walk.  Karen, along with Master Gardener members, coordinates this community event which is open to everyone. Diversity abounds.  There are small gardens and large open gardens.  You can find them in different parts of town, from downtown Muncie to Heekin Park area to a woodsy place on Andrews Road.  There are all kinds of plants and flowers and they are arranged…

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Capital Projects in Downtown Muncie and Beyond Share in $4M Awarded by Ball Brothers Foundation 

By Jud Fisher—  MUNCIE, IN—Ball Brothers Foundation, one of Indiana’s oldest and largest family foundations, awarded 33 grants totaling over $4 million in its first funding round of the year. Among the grants are funding for several organizations with long historical ties to the Ball family that are undertaking transformative capital projects: Ball State University, Camp Crosley (YMCA of Muncie), and the YWCA Central Indiana. A $2,500,000 grant awarded to the Ball State University Foundation will support the construction of a new Performing Arts Center adjacent to campus in the area known as the Village. This state-of-the-art facility will offer…


ecoREHAB of Muncie Receives $123,000 Lowe’s Hometowns Grant, Benefitting Local Community

By Jason Haney— MUNCIE, IN—Muncie, Indiana -based ecoREHAB of Muncie has proudly been selected as part of the 2024 Lowe’s Hometowns program, a five-year, $100 million commitment to rebuild and revitalize community spaces nationwide. Since launching in 2022, the signature grant program has renovated 149 community centers, affordable housing facilities, shelters and food pantries; refurbished 15 first responder and veteran/military family facilities; and built and improved 54 community gardens, parks and playgrounds – among many other impactful projects. As one of 100 community projects in 2024 that make up this year’s grant recipients, the Lowe’s Hometowns grant will benefit ecoREHAB’s…


Vera Mae’s Receives Prestigious ‘Wine Spectator’ Award

By Scott Smalstig— MUNCIE, IN—Wine Spectator magazine, widely regarded as one of the preeminent authorities on the world of wine, announced today that Vera Mae’s restaurant of Muncie, has been granted its Award of Excellence. Vera Mae’s is the only restaurant in East Central Indiana between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne honored by Wine Spectator.  It is the first time Vera Mae’s has won the award. “Our team at Vera’s is thrilled to have been chosen to receive this special distinction,” said Nick Kirkpatrick, General Manager of Vera Mae’s.  “When you think about wine, we want you to think Vera’s. Our…


Meridian Health Services Locations Recognized for Healthcare Quality

By Hannah Dunckel— MUNCIE, IN – Meridian Health Services locations in Anderson, Bluffton, Connersville, Dunkirk, and Richmond were recently recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as Patient-Centered Medical Homes. This recognition means Meridian Health Services has made a commitment to continuous quality improvement and a patient-centered approach to care. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication, and patient involvement. According to the NCQA website, research shows that PCMHs…


Organization Seeks Nominations Of Local Women To Honor During 32nd Annual Women’s Equality Day

By WaTasha Barnes Griffin— MUNCIE, IN — The Muncie-Delaware County Coalition of Women’s organizations is once again seeking nominations of local women to honor during the 32nd Annual Women’s Equality Day Program. The Coalition invites nominations of women who have made a significant contribution in the arts, education, religion, business, politics, environment, and social or community service by improving the quality of life in our community, according to a press release. Other categories will also be considered. Six women will be honored during the program, which will take place at 5 p.m. Aug. 26, 2024 in the Muncie City Hall…


IU Health and Ball State Athletics Collaborate to Care for Student Athletes

New partnership will provide student-athletes with comprehensive healthcare by the state’s largest healthcare system. By IU Health Staff— MUNCIE, IN– Indiana University Health and Ball State University have announced an extension of its current agreement to provide comprehensive healthcare service to students. Under the new agreement, IU Health will serve as the Official Healthcare and Sports Medicine Provider for Ball State Athletics. Indiana’s largest and most comprehensive health system will bring its highly skilled, compassionate care to Ball State Athletics’ student-athletes, supporting Ball State’s commitment to deliver the very best healthcare services and support to its students. “Ball State is…


‘Be My Neighbor Day’ Returns June 22 to Downtown Muncie

Editor’s note: Due to excessive heat warnings, this event will now be held inside at Inspire Academy, 2801 E 16th St., Muncie. By Tracie Louck, Ball State PBS— MUNCIE, IN – As Daniel Tiger often says, “Things may change and that’s OK. Today we can do things a different way.” The lovable star of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” on PBS KIDS will once again greet attendees at “Be My Neighbor Day,” which will be held from 1-4 p.m. ET Saturday, June 22, at Canan Commons in Downtown Muncie. This annual free event, hosted by Ball State PBS, features live music, fun…


Record Number of Ball State Graduates Awarded Prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Award

By Ball State University Communications— MUNCIE, IN – In a record-setting year, six recent Ball State University graduates—Julia Canty, Jayana Fennell, Cady Garcia, Denver Hammons, Katelyn Redman, and Haley Stevens—have been selected for prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Awards. These awards will enable them to spend the upcoming academic year abroad as English Teaching Assistants (ETAs), helping students in their host countries develop English language skills and serving as cultural ambassadors. Additionally, recent graduate Makayla Schuelke is an alternate for an ETA position. Award Recipients: Julia Canty: An Honors College graduate with a major in economics and minors in Chinese and…


Muncie Resident Jim Needham Releases New Book

By Laurie Lunsford— MUNCIE, IN—A fresh new book, written by a beloved local figure, has recently been released. “I’ve wanted to write this book for a long time,” Jim Needham stated when asked about God’s Still Calling…Seeking God’s Fingerprints.  The book is a legacy about Needham’s life for his grandchildren. Since it is a book that is packed with life stories and lessons learned, it is a great book for all.  In writing the book, Needham generously shares a viewpoint that all of us can learn from. Wisdom comes with age, and if that is true, Needham’s got a lot…