Indianapolis Police Chief John Ambuhl threatened to take drastic action against high school boys who hitchhiked home from school. It was reported that the boys were disturbing traffic and even opening the doors of stopped vehicles and demanding rides.
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Reliable Super Service, the Southside’s newest gas station, was opened by F.W. VanFossen and Paul F. Shigley at 3485 Sumner Ave. Herb Bartlett was the manager, and Loren Ferguson was his assistant.
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An ultramodern luncheonette opened in G.C. Murphy’s in Fountain Square. The countertop-style diner featured 31 comfortable stools, and patrons could watch their meals being prepared.
Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1964
Friedens United Church of Christ moved to its new facility at 8300 S. Meridian St. The church had been located at Parkway and Alabama streets for 50 years.
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After five years of work and $800,000, the Southside YMCA finally opened its doors at 7900 Shelby St. The facility featured an indoor 75-yard pool, a gymnasium, a fitness center, a multipurpose room that seated more than 200 people, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, a football field and two baseball diamonds.
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Officials reported that 11,877 children attended Grades K through 12 in Perry Township. Of that number, 3,767 were enrolled in parochial schools.
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The Etch A Sketch, a hot Christmas toy, cost $2.67.
Forty Years Ago This Week – 1974
Ladies double knit acrylic pants were $5.44 cents a pair at G.C. Murphy’s, where a quart of oil cost 59 cents and misses and junior jeans were $4.44.
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More than 2,000 women, including mesdames Robert Sewall and George Kennedy were on a fundraising team for the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
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St. Mark Catholic School’s PTA was hosting a used clothing sale. Organizers included Bob Whitaker, Pat Courteau, Claire Slick, Micky Lentz and Pat Pekarek.
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Members of the Indianapolis Military Miniature and War Games Society held a demonstration of the Seven Years’ War next to JC Penny in Southern Plaza. The “battle” involved more than 1,500 figurines.
Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1984
Phil Spray, a fifth-grade teacher at Homecroft Elementary, received word that his original music composition was named one of the seven best in the worldwide competition sponsored by the Viola da Gamba Society of Japan.
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Michael Holzer achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. In doing so, he joined his father, Steve Holzer, in attaining the highest honor in Scouting.
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Compliments of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a surplus of nearly 500,000 pounds of cheese was distributed in Marion, Hendricks, Boone and Hamilton counties.
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Jeff Mercer, a 1978 graduate of Southport, was named coach of the school’s baseball team. He replaced John Dwenger.
Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1994
Fire destroyed the Noble Roman’s on East Southport Road and caused $300,000 in damage. Only the four walls were left standing. Perry Township fire investigator Mark Culver speculated that the blaze started in an attic above the ovens after smoldering for an hour or so before being discovered.
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Roncalli graduate Andrea K. Sauer was named volunteer chairwoman of the 44th annual Christmas Gift Life, which provided gifts to nearly 4,000 individuals who suffered from mental illnesses in Marion County facilities.
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Bob and Betty Schmaltz celebrated their sixth year of owning the Green Door Lounge, 711 E. Thompson Road, with a free buffet. The couple had owned the Cabaret Lounge, 3151 Madison Ave., in the 1970s.
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The Women’s Guild of Garfield Park United Church of Christ hosted a roast beef dinner and a Christmas bazaar. The organizing committee featured Mary Jenkins, Mary Trent, Marie Johnson, Edna Driver, Etta Atchison, Betty Zahn, Loreda Fisher, Bettie Hoenshel, Anna Mae Kindle and Dorothy Schakel.
Ten Years Ago This Week – 2004
In conjunction with the YMCA of Indianapolis celebrating its 150th birthday, Baxter Y, 7900 Shelby St., presented Larry Barrett, Seth Berger and Janet Cates with service plaques for their exceptional volunteer service.
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Patrick Korando, who attended Southport 6th Grade Academy, was honored by the Perry Township School Board for saving the lives of three small children (16, 19 and 36 months old) who were drowning in a retention pond.
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Greg and Debbie Truex, the parents of Melissa and Kyle, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a weekend getaway to Abe Martin Lodge in Brown County State Park. Mr. Truex was employed by the Internal Revenue Service. Mrs. Truex was a substitute teacher for Perry Township Schools and led a youth Bible study.
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The top movie at the box office was “Shark Tale,” which starred Will Smith and Robert DeNiro. “Friday Night Lights” (Billy Bob Thornton, Derek Luke) was second, followed by “Team America: World Police” (Trey Parker, Matt Stone) and “Shall We Dance?” (Jennifer Lopez, Richard Gere)
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Gabe Ford, Davey Stone, Dylan Ingle and Patrick Fenn, members of the Lego robotics team at Winchester Village Elementary, were busy building robots for an upcoming competition.