60 Years Ago This Week - 1962 
 The Merit Shoe Co., 1108 Shelby St., sold desert boots for $3.83. 
* * *
Specials at Buck’s Super Market, 3015 S. Meridian St., included a dozen eggs for 53 cents; a gallon of milk, 59 cents; six 6-ounce cans of frozen concentrated orange juice, 89 cents; and a pound of ground beef, 89 cents.
* * *
A financial adviser, a physician and a minister teamed to conduct a marriage seminar at the Interchurch Center.
* * * 
The Rev. Charles Strickler was installed as the new minister of Olive Branch Christian Church, 101 E. Raymond Ave.

50 Years Ago This Week - 1972
St. Francis Hospital’s nine-story, $3 million medical arts building was under construction in Beech Grove. 
* * *
St. John’s United Church of Christ celebrated the start of Advent with a family service.
* * *
Indianapolis Public School 27, 1202 E. Troy Ave., held its annual candy sale.
* * *
Toasters and coffee makers were on sale for $7.88 at G.C. Murphy’s in Fountain Square, and a 6-foot artificial Christmas tree was marked down to $11.98.

40 Years Ago This Week - 1982
The archives from 1982 were ruined when The Spotlight’s lower level was flooded in June of 1992.

30 Years Ago This Week - 1992
The boys basketball teams from Perry Meridian and Southport squared off in their annual Thanksgiving Eve battle, with the Cardinals prevailing 50-43. 
* * *
Roncalli’s girls basketball team defeated Manual 71-33. Leading the way for the Rebels were Nique Schott, Katie Andrews, Nikki Lawrie, Karrie Stahley, Missy Abbott, Erika Scott, Sarah Hurrle and Michelle Eckhart.
* * *
Perry Meridian’s Andrew Wilson and Kirby Wing-Kay were finalists in the National Science Scholars program. 
* * * 
With the number of viral hepatitis cases increasing throughout Indianapolis, the Marion County Health Department alerted the public to take appropriate measures to prevent the disease from spreading further. 

20 Years Ago This Week - 2002
Blake Davis, the 6-year-old son of Greenwood residents Jennifer Leak and Steve Davis, flipped the switch to kick off Indianapolis’ Circle of Lights celebration, which included a visit from Santa Claus, music of the season and the lighting of the “world’s tallest Christmas tree.”
* * * 
Spotlight Publisher Jerry Cosby participated in Perry Township Schools’ Principal for a Day program, taking over as head honcho at MacArthur Elementary.
* * *

These Franklin Central seniors signed their college commitment papers. Enjoying the moment while looking to the future were (from left) Jacob O’Brien, Purdue, wrestling; Alissa Tielking, IUPUI, cross country; Sherri Rohde, University of Maryland (Baltimore County), basketball; and Natalie Collins, Morehead State (Kentucky), basketball. 
* * *

The Spell Bowl team from Homecroft Elementary School won the Perry Township title to advance to the state finals. The squad featured (in no particular order) Samantha Doughty, Brittany Edwards, Jeremy Hughes, Justess Hurst, Derk Lane, Clayton Leslie, Lian Lian Ling, Jordyn Mason, Timothy Mosier, Rebekah Munger, Jake Scott, Daniel Smedema, Nathan Weber, Alexander Zuniga, proctor Melinda Smedema, coach Carolyn Weiss and Principal Tom Wade.
* * * 
Roncalli’s football team defeated Jasper 10-6 in 4A semistate action to earn a berth in the state finals at the RCA Dome, where the Rebels (9-4) would face Fort Wayne Dwenger (13-1).
* * * 
David Bohall opened Big Daddy’s Auto Sales at Madison and Sumner avenues and sold cars ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. 

10 Years Ago This Week - 2012

Santa and Mrs. Claus were greeted with much fanfare during the Christmas tree-lighting celebration in Greenwood.
​ * * *
Roncalli senior Amanda McClellan earned a perfect score during the state finals of the Spell Bowl to lead the Rebels to an eighth-place finish.
* * *
Perry Meridian’s No.1-ranked wrestling team won the Capital City Classic. Individual champs for the Falcons were Jacob Cottey, Brandon James, Cody LeCount, Nick Bova, Keanu Cooper, Riley McClurg, Jake Massengale and Donte Winfield.

60 Years Ago This Week - 1962 
 Representatives of Greater Southside Inc. asked the Board of Sanitary Commissioners to install storm sewers along Hanna Avenue from Madison to Carson avenues. 
* * *
Garfield Park American Legion Auxiliary 88 hosted its annual turkey and ham dinner.
* * *
Southport High School’s PTA served a bowl of chili, a fish sandwich, a salad and a dessert for $1.

50 Years Ago This Week - 1972
Preferred TV, 6845 Madison Ave., debuted a television that could record shows.
* * *
Ed and Clare Heidenreich, who owned Heidenreich Florist at 5320 Madison Ave., held their annual Christmas open house.
* * *
Airmen Stephenie Hughes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hughes and a graduate of Manual High, and Michael McAllen, son of Mr. and Mrs. John McAllen and a Southport grad, completed basic training and were assigned to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.
* * * 
Beall’s shoe store in Beech Grove held a sale on its fall and winter footwear.

40 Years Ago This Week - 1982
The archives from 1982 were ruined when The Spotlight’s lower level was flooded in June of 1992.

30 Years Ago This Week - 1992
Tex Black from American Legion Garfield Park Post 88 was honored for his extraordinary service to veterans.
* * *
The following advice was featured in the “Turkey Talk for Dummies” section: There is not much quality difference between a fresh and frozen turkey; buy 1 pound of turkey for each person you plan on serving; it takes about four days to thaw a 16-pound bird in a refrigerator; roast at 325 degrees for optimal flavor. 
* * *
Meridian Middle School’s volleyball team completed its second consecutive undefeated season by downing Keystone Middle in the Perry Township tournament. The squad featured Suzanne Wesner, J’nai LeFevre, Katie Douglas, Nicole Ellis, Erin Covert, Jennifer Marx, Julie Groves, Amy Frey, Danielle Gibbons, Amanda Vice, Natalie Visker, Holly Turk, Angie Weddle and coach Doug Osborn. 
* * * 
Southport High students Amanda Baker, Kim Price, Joe Craig, Jill Pickett, Becky Winingham, Janis Miller, Doug Smith and Kira Peters were rehearsing for their school’s production of “The Sound of Music.”

20 Years Ago This Week - 2002

Roncalli’s football team won its first Class 4A sectional title by defeating Shelbyville 28-7; Franklin Central’s undefeated season in 5A came to an end when walloped 36-0 by Warren Central.  
* * * 
The Perry Township Board of Education and its legal counsel debated whether to renew a 30-year lease of Bluff Park to Indy Parks for $1 annually. The grounds at 555 W. Hanna Ave. were once the site of Bluff Avenue School.
* * *
Roncalli’s National Merit scholars were Dave Bauman, Stephanie Horan, Brendan Murphy, Rebecca Noe, Kathryn Tolle and Tyler Warner.
* * * 
The following poem by Lauren Garmon and Kristin Stenger, students at Jeremiah-Gray and Mary Bryan elementary schools, respectively, was published.
“Don’t Forget to Bless”
Halloween is over; the leaves are now falling
The birds begin to fly; must be the South calling.
Turkey Day is here. As snow floats in the air
The smell of the dressing cooking; time to hibernate little bear.
Momma cleans the china; the table has been set
Drop that carving knife, Dad; we haven’t said the blessing yet.

10 Years Ago This Week - 2012
In Memory of Jennifer and Dion Longworth

An earth-shaking explosion leveled five homes and damaged 70 others in the Richmond Hill subdivision -- near Stop 11 Road and Sherman Drive – killing Jennifer and John “Dion” Longworth.  

Sixth-graders at South Grove Intermediate School learned about the political parties and election laws. The children were (front, from left) Alexis Mattingly, Kayla Jennett, Ana Ramirez, Emily Leak, Madeline Adamson, Abby Gold, Blayde Tingler; (back) Coy Doyle, Devin Bow, Randy Middleton, Jacob Paske, Tyler Bennett, Dallas Culpepper, Jon Danz, Breanna Small, Cierra Ray, Rhiannon Auspitz and Abby Byrd.
* * *

Students at Mary Bryan Elementary School donned their finest attire when participating in “Dress Like a Teacher Day.” The dapper gents, pictured with Assistant Principal Craig Hendrick, were Grant Lizon, Xander Goodwin, Wyatt Manley, Luke Freeman and Tanner Percifield.

60 Years Ago This Week - 1962 
 Speed Queen, the self-proclaimed fastest coin-operated dry cleaner and laundry, celebrated its grand opening at 1437 Shelby St., where a 10-pound load could be dry-cleaned in 20 minutes for $1.
* * *
Zale’s, a jewelry store in Fountain Square extended its hours until 8:30 p.m. to showcase its “extra-special bonus bargains.”
* * *
The Rainbow Garden Club held a Christmas flower show at First Presbyterian Church of Southport.
* * * 
Steve Davis, Donna Pahud and Sue Stephenson had the lead roles in Manual High School’s production of “Silk Stocking,” a musical romantic comedy.
* * * 
The Singer Sewing Center in Southern Plaza advertised sewing machines for $99.50; vacuum cleaners were priced at $39.50. 

 50 Years Ago This Week - 1972
First-place winners in St. Roch Grade School’s hobby show were Dianna Mohr (my sweet little sister who’s a flight nurse on IU Health LifeLine), Beth Hillan, Michelle Mazza, Valerie Schloegl, Karen Dwenger, Dora Northcutt, Teresa Srmack, Teresa Holzer, Andrea Mascari, Lisa Ratz, Lisa LaGrotto, Pete Schlegel, Debbie Mappes and Ann Daly. 
* * *
The PTA of Meridian Middle School served its annual chicken and noodles dinner for $1.25. The meal included mashed potatoes, green beans, apple cobbler, a hot yeast roll and a beverage.
* * *
Dick Piper led Garfield Park Christian Church in launching its first missionary rally.
* * *
Pvt. Bonnye Kinman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Martin and a 1965 graduate of Southport High School, completed basic training at the Women’s Army Corps Center in Fort McClellan, Ala.
* * *  
Bananas cost 10 cents a pound at Miller’s Regal Market, 215 Terrace Ave., where bacon was 69 cents a pound; sirloin steak, $1.39 a pound; and two pounds of Hills Bros. coffee, $1.39.
* * *
After eight months of renovation, the 98-year-old chapel at St. Joseph Cemetery, 435 W. Troy Ave., was rededicated and returned to intended use after having served as a tool shed for years.

40 Years Ago This Week - 1982
The archives from 1982 were ruined when The Spotlight’s lower level was flooded in June of 1992.

30 Years Ago This Week - 1992
Originally founded in a small room at University Park on North Meridian Street, St. Paul’s Evangelical Church, 717 S. New Jersey St., celebrated its 150th anniversary.
* * *
St. Francis Hospital purchased a full-page ad to publish and recognize the names of its 3,008 employees. The type was in fine print but legible.
* * *
Area residents were complaining that Perry Park, 451 E. Stop 11 Road, had become a dumping ground for all sorts of trash once it was named as a drop-off point for leaves. 
* * * 
Roncalli’s volleyball team won its 14th consecutive sectional title but lost to Center Grove in a regional final to end its season 29-8.

20 Years Ago This Week - 2002
Jacki Hicks, Penny Brown and Donna Strain opened Finders Keepers Resale Shop at 3967 S. Meridian St., where they sold used women’s clothes and accessories.  
* * * 
Coached by Janet Price, Roncalli’s Spell Bowl team was competing for the state title. The squad featured Sean Cary, Jessica Kroll, Elizabeth Roller, Kenny Winningham, Fatima Patino, Kristen Constant, Emily Merkel, Kim Buckley, David Franco and Erin Rainey.

Winchester Village Elementary kindergarteners Dakota Tharp, Kimberly Rojas, Catera Lewis, Esteban Rameriz picked pumpkins at Golden Harvest Farms.
* * *

St. Mark third-graders (from left) Drew Aughe, Bryce Opel and Anthony Cento read to their kindergarten friends.
* * * 
The football teams from Franklin Central (10-0 in 5A) and Roncalli (6-4 in 4A) vied for sectional titles. 

10 Years Ago This Week - 2012
University of Indianapolis nursing student Katie Whittington, son of Jeff and Stacy Whittington and a reporter for SouthsiderVoice TV, was serenaded by “Polka Bob” at the German-American Klub when he found out that she was turning 21.
* * *

The Spell Bowl team from Douglas MacArthur Elementary School won a regional title. The spellers were (front, from left) Elijah and Carli Moriarty, Ava Diekoff, Diana Pyle; (back) Arnima Singh, Jaclyn Coppock, Stuti Mathur, Riya Verma, Shawna Everroad, Krissy Brzycki and Hodson Petro.
* * *
Southport High School’s Students of the Month were Rachael Bussell, Alexis Odle, Jacob Bledsoe, Mary Schubnell, Tyler Byers, Caleb Brown, Ebi Sah, Mikyla Dillon, Htay Ni Par Tha Sui, Rachel Gray, Micah Brown, Dayjanae Reynolds, Dalton Harrell, Ngun Bawr, Kodi Raisor, Jordan Kayler and Sydney Stillwell.

60 Years Ago This Week - 1962
St. Roch School served turkey dinners for $1.50. 
* * *
Gee Drugs, 2841 Shelby St., celebrated its 16th anniversary.
* * *
Farm Bureau Insurance opened a branch at 4200 S. U.S. 31.
* * * 
Gus and Margaret Miceli opened Imperial Econ-O-Wash Laundry at 931 S. East St.

50 Years Ago This Week - 1972
Karen Kehlbeck rehearsed for (in no particular order) Elaine Bramlett, Martha Streightoff, Barbara Riney and Mrs. Edward Bramlett in preparation for Helene Charisse’s annual dance recital at Manual High School. 
* * *
The Haag Drug Co. provided senior citizens free transportation to and from the polls on Election Day. 
* * *
Jenny and Eric Staab, children of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Staab, and Christin Popp, son of Mrs. Charles Popp, were winners in the Halloween costume contest at South Village Plaza.
* * *
Behind the leadership of Mrs. Gerald Coyle, St. Catherine Church’s Altar Society held its fall card party. And it must have been a big affair because she had a boatload of assistants: Mesdames Henry Stewart, Charles Steadham, Maurice Kriese, David Fisher, Edward Gabonay, Robert Brown, Ambrose Hornberger, Herman Grote, Elmer Spieker, George Berry and Thomas Walsh.

40 Years Ago This Week - 1982
The archives from 1982 were ruined when The Spotlight’s lower level was flooded in June of 1992.

30 Years Ago This Week - 1992
Kristine Kelly was named chairwoman of the 42nd annual Christmas Gift Lift. Sponsored by the Mental Health Association of Marion County, the program involved collecting new clothing, personal care items and other gifts for the mentally ill.
* * *
Latricia Anderson, a student at Decatur Central Middle School and a member of St. Roch Parish, won the school’s Triple A Award for displaying excellence in athletics, academics and attitude.
* * *
Columnist Diane Kavanaugh wrote about her encounter with a baby cow outside the backdoor of her apartment. With night falling, Kavanaugh followed the wayward calf until a storm blew in. Authorities were called in but had no luck in tracking down the young bovine, which was heard crying later that night before disappearing in the early morning. 
* * * 
Leanza Cornett, the reigning Miss America from Florida, addressed AIDS awareness at the University of Indianapolis. 

20 Years Ago This Week - 2002

Andy Barrer from Boy Scout Troop 51, seen with Chris Renteria, fed “Dinosaur the Pumpkin Smasher” during the fall festival at Waterman’s Farm Market, 7010 E. Raymond St. 
* * * 
St. Jude’s third-grade football team went undefeated to win its division in the Catholic Youth Organization league. The squad featured Mike Horan, Joshua Pawlak, Kevin Schubach, Shawn Reed, Dusty Norman, Logan Lielinski, Conner Rohrman, Joe Ardizzone, Bradley Fey, David Mappes, Ben Susemichel, Chase Steinbrunner, Tyler Crouch, Jack Wagner, Tim Zimmerman, Peter Molloy, Logan Wolfschlag and coaches Nick Mappes, Bob Susemichel, Mark Storey and Joe Pawlak.
* * * 

* * * 
Carolyn Meisberger, an English teacher at St. Jude Catholic School, was a semifinalist for Indiana’s Educator of the Year. She had recently been named a master instructor in the Teacher Advancement Program.  
* * * 
Cartons of generic and Marlboro cigarettes cost $15.99 and $25.99, respectively.
* * *
Molly Cleek and Pat Strawser, members of Nu Tau chapter of Delta Theta Tau, presented a $2,000 check to Charlene Guthrie on behalf of Rise Learning Center. The money was raised during the sorority’s craft fair.

10 Years Ago This Week - 2012

The Marion County Paranormal Investigative Team of (front) Brooke Gray, Aleesha Warman, Kimberly Allender; (back) Kyle Massengale, Chris Thrasher, Tom Massengale and Aaron McClellen, examined the Gaslight Inn at 2280 S. Meridian St. in hope of explaining odd occurrences at the pub, which had been hangout for gangster John Dillinger in the early 1930s. 
 * * *
Featherston Cemetery, Indianapolis’ smallest burial ground at 3320 Boxwood Drive – off McFarland Road between Southport and Stop 11 roads -- was dedicated. The cemetery held its first burial in the 1830s and was named in honor of Jeremiah Featherson, who founded Little Buck Creek Baptist Church (later known as Southport Baptist) in 1832. 
* * *

​Brian and Michelle Moore, Teresa Johnston and Terry Dyson attended the reverse raffle hosted by Southport High School’s Adult Booster Club.