Positivity

Damage to the Muncie Fieldhouse roof as photographed by: Roger Overbey

Positivity November 29, 2017

Muncie Comes Together Through Storm: Culminates in Saving Sunday’s Christmas Sing

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—For days prior to November 5th, area meteorologists were warning ECI residents that a significant weather event could take place here. In fact, The Weather Channel™ upgraded our area to a TORCON Level 5, meaning there was a 50 % chance a tornado could occur within 50 miles of your residence.  Waves of low pressure moved along a strong cold front on November 5th, generating strong to severe thunderstorms. And a tornado or two. Mayor Dennis Tyler was…

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Positivity November 17, 2017

Krista and Richard Sides Provide Some “Love” to Downtown YWCA

  Muncie, IN— Krista Sides is owner of the Chameleon Salon in Muncie.  She has been working on a project she calls her YWCA Love Project at the YWCA downtown since Oct 23,2017. In her career as a stylist, Krista knows how much color effects your mood. Krista wanted to do her part to help women at the YWCA,  by creating a positive, visually stimulating environment. Krista and her husband Richard painted &/or decorated 10+ spaces throughout the YWCA building….

Woof Boom Radio initiates community project titled: "Project Poinsettia." Photo illustration by: Mike Rhodes

Business, Positivity November 8, 2017

Woof Boom Radio Launches “Project Poinsettia” To Benefit Nursing Home Residents This Christmas

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Today, Woof Boom Radio is embarking on a community service project to bring a little joy and happiness to our local nursing home residents this Christmas. We are looking to partner with 50 local businesses. Would you like to help? Project Poinsettia will deliver 1,000 beautiful poinsettias to area nursing homes and assisted living facilities this Christmas, in order to spread a little joy of the season to residents who need it. Did you know that…

Derek Hilbert is pictured in front of items donated for "Tips for Turkeys" at the Fickle Peach. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Positivity October 30, 2017

Derek Hilbert Hosts “Tips-For-Turkey”at the Fickle Peach To Help Needy Families

By: Mike Rhodes— Muncie, IN—Four years ago, Derek Hilbert (D-Rock) had an idea. Four days before Thanksgiving, he found out someone he knew was in need for Thanksgiving. It made him think. He wondered, “What can I do to help?” He decided to have a spontaneous event at the bar he worked that night, and called his impromptu event,  Tips for Turkey.    “Tips” in this case, included all of Derek’s bartending tips he had received during the night. A Tuesday night. He raised $250.00 that…

Muncie resident Brittani Richards found a great support network at Indiana Wesleyan University, where advisors and professors offered support and flexibility through Richards’ health obstacles, ultimately enabling her to complete her Master of Business Administration and graduate in August 2017. Photo courtesy of Brittani Richards.

Positivity October 25, 2017

Thrive Credit Union’s Brittani Richards Fights Health Issue To Complete MBA Program

By: Dr. Mark Alexander, Regional Dean, Indiana Wesleyan University— When Brittani Richards started her Master of Business Administration program at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) in January 2015, she never imagined just how crucial flexibility would be to her success. While at IWU, she experienced health obstacles that many would consider insurmountable, including the surgical removal of one eye due to complications from cancer she suffered as a child. Despite her challenges, Richards preserved and completed her MBA in August 2017….

Kathryn Kennison, U.S. Vice President Pence (then-governor), and the Rt. Hon. David Trimble. Photo provided and taken November 14, 2014.

Education, Positivity October 11, 2017

Town and Gown Conversations: Another Hidden Muncie Gem

By: Diane Watters, Assistant Director, E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center Ball State University— Muncie, IN—Town and Gown is an anachronistic phrase that you just don’t hear anymore, unless you run into a seasoned city planner. But this absence from our vocabulary doesn’t diminish the importance of its place in our community. This form of programming is meant to bridge the gap between the academic world and townspeople. The E.B. and Bertha C. Ball Center’s Town and Gown Conversations program aims to…

The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) conducts a routine, scheduled transit through the Suez Canal. This is the boat Chief Petty Officer Bryan Ellis is on. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Casey S. Trietsch/Released)

Government, Positivity October 5, 2017

Muncie Native Bryan Ellis Earns Coveted Title of Navy Chief Petty Officer

By: Navy Office of Community Outreach— Millington, TN – Navy Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Bryan Ellis from Muncie, Indiana, was recently promoted to chief petty officer, an accomplishment that only one in five eligible sailors achieve each year. Chief Ellis, a 1987 Wes-Del High School graduate, is currently serving aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. “Being selected for chief petty officer means everything,” said Ellis. “The only goal I have set for myself was to become a chief. I also understand…

Sharon Grubbs with a Petal it Forward bouquet. 900 bouquets will be given away Wednesday October 11th. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Positivity October 4, 2017

“Petal It Forward” with Flowers on October 11th

By: Cameron Grubbs— Muncie, IN —Foister’s Flowers and Gifts will be hitting the streets of Muncie and Yorktown on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 handing out 900 flowers to residents to help brighten up their week, as part of the Petal It Forward program, in partnership with the Society of American Florists (SAF), of which Foister’s Flowers & Gifts is a member. Foister’s will be participating in the Petal It Forward program for the second year in a row. Petal It Forward is in response…

Pictured L-R: Betty Brewer, President and CEO of the Minnetrista Cultural Center and Chase Winkle, MPD patrolman prior to Betty's ride along on August 2nd. Photo by: Mike Rhodes

Government, Positivity August 2, 2017

Muncie Police Department Introduces “Ride Along” Program for Community Leaders

By: Mike Rhodes— Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a police officer in Muncie? The Muncie Police Department recently introduced a new program that allows community leaders/members to “ride along” with a police officer for a few hours to learn what a Muncie Police Department officer does on patrol. According to MPD Police Chief Joe Winkle, “My son, Patrolman Chase Winkle, brought the idea to my attention and we discussed it with the other officers in…

Students who participated in SERVE week in the past are pictured. Photo courtesy of Union Chapel.

Positivity June 15, 2017

16th Annual “Serve Week” to Be Held at Union Chapel

By: Jeff Hughes— Muncie, IN—Imagine the positive effect of over 450 children, youth and adults who live in Muncie, extending acts of kindness and love by serving residents and area non-profit agencies for one week at no charge. SERVE participants will rehab homes, pick up trash, visit nursing homes, paint local parks, cook and give away free food, host free block parties, assist non-profit agencies, and clean up and show care and concern for the City of Muncie by meeting practical…