Ted Lobdell and Barry Hix, have put together many Edgewood Grade School reunions over the past few years. I always have enjoyed reconnecting with lots of friends and former students. In this week’s edition of The Southsider Voice, Barry has an article about a tremendous home run that was hit by a young teenage boy named Doug Settles.
Barry and Ted have accomplished a lot recently that will lead up to a special ceremony Saturday, May 15 at noon.
They obtained permission from the property owners to install a basketball goal in one of the Edgewood areas that once had over a dozen goals. This new basketball goal and half-court are placed in honor of Paul L. (Pete) Bailey, the principal of Edgewood Grade School for many years, and former Edgewood school and Southport High School standout, Indiana All-Star Louie Dampier.
When the Edgewood building was demolished in 1980, many former students and staff were able to procure a couple of bricks from the building. I was living in Michigan at the time and missed that opportunity.
One former student went a giant step further. George Ellis a former Edgewood student and neighbor acquired the cornerstone of the Edgewood Grade School (pictured below). He took it to his farm and held it for safe-keeping. George kept in contact with Ted and Barry and after the basketball goal was in place, the historic cornerstone was moved back onto the property.
The cornerstone was delivered by truck and it took a lot of maneuvering to properly put the 1,500-pound cornerstone under the American flag.
The property where the dedication will take place is on Epler Avenue just a block west of Madison Avenue. Anyone interested in attending the ceremony is invited to join many past Edgewood students, particularly any adults who played on the courts as kids.
Activities will start around noon and all those in attendance are expected to mingle for quite a while by swapping stories of the courts and the school. Make sure to bring your camera and your stories.
May 15 promises to be a wonderful afternoon.