Construction was underway on Laughner’s Cafeteria at 4100 S. U.S. 31. The restaurant would be able to seat 300 diners.
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Debe Smith, the 13-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Smith, took top honors for the second consecutive year in her age group in the America Accordionist Association’s contest in Chicago.
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Harold Joergens and James Gates were named chairmen of the Woodlawn Festival, annual event that featured food, music, games and crafts.
50 Years Ago This Week — 1973
Residents of Meridian Woods Park, off West Southport Road, hosted their annual swim meet and water show. First-place winners were Sherrie King, David Hunt, Mary Schueth, Tom Kern, Nicole Scholling, Steve Roller, Leslie Vitag, Bruce Fayern and Cindy and Rick McHenry.
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Free swimming lessons were offered at Longacre Pool.
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Wallie Sims, former president of the Indianapolis Board of School Commissioners, criticized Judge S. Hugh Dillon’s highly controversial decision on busing, saying, “To bus thousands of youngsters from elementary and high schools — whether it is confined to city children or involves city and suburban youngsters — is asinine and costly. The time wasted on buses could be spent in the classroom.”
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One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments — all air-conditioned — at the newly opened Carriage House on Smith Valley Road in Greenwood leased for $130, $156 and $175 per month, respectively.
40 Years Ago This Week — 1983
The following quip was published: “A farmer was herd to say, “It’s been so hot that I have had to feed my hens ice to keep them from laying hard-boiled eggs.”
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Holy Name Catholic Church in Beech Grove celebrated its 75th anniversary.
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Judy Robinson won grand-champions honors for her pears at the Marion County Fair.
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The American Cancer Society hosted a skate-athon at the roller rink behind Southern Plaza.
30 Years Ago This Week — 1993
More than 1,100 youths and young adults convened at Roncalli High School for a prayer service in preparation for their pilgrimage to join Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day in Denver.
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Spotlight Editor Jerry Cosby returned from a fishing trip in Canada. He was photographed holding some large fish but admitted that his biggest hit of the week, which bent his pole in half, came when hooking the bottom of the boat during a sharp turn. Others making the trip were Jack Toliver, John Black and Wes Lanze. Leland Richards was supposed to go, but an illness in the family kept him from joining in the fun.
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Courtney Krebs, daughter of Jack and Betty Krebs and a dance student of Rebecca VanBriggle, represented Marion County at the Indiana State Fair’s dance solo contest.
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Epsilon Tau chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa awarded $1,000 scholarships to Jennifer Renner of Southport High School and David Alford of Perry Meridian.
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Kristie Short, daughter of Mike and Rosie Short, was named Miss Indiana Teen Hostess.
20 Years Ago This Week — 2003
A celebration to mark Sister Rose Seyfried’s 60th year as a nun was held at St. Roch Grade School, where she used to teach yours truly.
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Insect-eating plants like sundews and Venus flytraps were exhibited at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
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The Indianapolis Police Department opened a substation at Southern Plaza. The facility provided officers with a phone, restroom and an area to complete paperwork.
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Kevin Harvick became the first driver to win the Brickyard 400 from the pole. Local favorite John Andretti disappointed himself and many Hoosiers when crashing early in the race.
10 Years Ago This Week — 2013
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The newly constructed Gateway South Arch — the centerpiece of the $1 million economic revitalization project along the point of U.S. 31 and Madison Avenue — was dedicated.
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