Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1965
The first full-page color ad in “The Spotlight” was for Fisher Bros. Home Furnishings, 1315 Shelby St., which was selling La-Z-Boy chairs for $119.95.
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Mrs. John Gray, Mrs. Harold Walters and Marie Lawhorn were helping to organize the Mental Health Gift Lift, which ensured that patients at Central State and LaRue Carter hospitals received Christmas presents.
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Sharp Ford, 3931 S. U.S. 31, advertised the following specials: a four-door 1965 Mercury Monterey for $1,695; a 1964 Buick, $2,895; a 1965 Mercury Parklane convertible, $2,895; and a 1962 Falcon, $995.
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Southport seniors Theresa Adams and Jeff Bell were starring in the school’s production of “Teahouse of the August Moon.” 

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1975

After having been located at 3333 Madison Ave. for 25 years, Speth Bakery relocated to a modern facility in Carson Square, corner of Thompson and McFarland roads. The staff included (from left) Dan Zimmerman, Ed, Rosemary, George, Edie and Mickey Speth and Therese Cain.  
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The top sellers in the candy sale at Wade Public School No. 34, two blocks south of Raymond Street, were (clockwise from left) Tracy Carlton, Ricky Parks, Darlene Fendley, Edward Kingery and Bobby Jones.
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The Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department hosted its annual Firemen’s Ball at Monsignor Downey Knights of Columbus. Admission was $6 per couple.
 * * *

The four-story addition to the main office of National Bank of Greenwood altered the city’s skyline.
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Strauss Limited had marked down its prices on men’s and women’s clothing and shoes by up to 70 percent. 
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Taystee Bakery Thrift Store, 711 E. Murry St., sold eight loaves of white bread for $1. 

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1985
The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store opened at Southport Road and I-65. The manager was Gary Giesting, who was assisted by Ron Hillabrand, Chris Venezie and Tony Sissine. 
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Julie Kemie, Nicole Brown, Nancy Huebner, Karen Krampe, Lisa Kenninger, Tonya Root and Sara Hardin from the Sycamore Ice Skating Club at Perry Park were training for the annual Indiana Figure Skating Championships at the State Fairgrounds.  
* * *
Southport’s football team defeated Perry Meridian 7-0 to win a sectional championship at Perry Stadium. The Falcons scored with 21 seconds remaining in the game, but the touchdown was nullified by a penalty. Besides being treated to an exciting game, the fans were entertained by the Michigan State marching band, which made a stopover visit to the stadium en route to its performance at Indiana University.  

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Roncalli’s Class 3A No. 1 football team (12-0) defeated No. 8 Zionsville 8-7 in a monsoon to win a regional title.
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Garfield Park Post 88 of the American Legion presented a $420 check to the Gorman Boys and Girls Club. On hand for the presentation were Mark Wilson, Carolyn Emmons, Jason Sparkman, Thomas Carrico, Paul Sparkman and John Siler. 
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Perry Township 4-H junior leaders and their sponsors went trick-or-treating for Hunger Inc. and collected 442 pounds of food for the pantry. Those assisting with the worthy cause included April Herman, Lisa Zinser, Katie and Ken Hoffman and John Bush II and John Bush III.
* * *
David Crisler, a 25-year member of the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He was assigned to the jail division, where he supervised inmate security, food service, records and transportation to and from courts and medical appointments.
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Sarah Hurrle, a senior at Roncalli and the daughter of Barb and Steve Hurrle, signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Butler.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 2005
The archives from 2005 are missing.

Ten Years Ago This Week — 2015

Roncalli senior Justin Brown earned the rank of Eagle Scout after completing his service project, which included installing a statue of Pope St. John XXIII (born Angelo Roncalli) and building a grotto along the walkway to the school’s baseball field. The statue was blessed by the Rev. Tim Wyciskalla, who served as Roncalli’s chaplain.
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Lutheran High School named Phil Schmidt (second from left) as its Alumnus of the Year. He is seen with Principal Michael Brandt, wife Johanna and father Wayne.
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Alex Cottey, a wrestler at Perry Meridian Middle School, took first-place honors at the Iowa Preseason Duals. He is seen with coaches Matt Schoettle and Shaun Richardson.
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Beech Grove High School cross-country runners Conner Kelley and Vilis Vuskains qualified for the Carmel semistate.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Johnson Bros. Shell Service was opened at the northeast corner of Meridian Street and Troy Avenue by Jack and Ralph Johnson. 
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Eddie “The King” Feigner’s famous four-man softball team – known as The King and His Court – played a game at Municipal Softball Stadium, 1801 S. West St.
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Barbara Bates won overall honors in the talent contest at Garfield Park, where she sang three songs while being accompanied by pianist Fred Dean, bassist Bernie Weimer and drummer Tom Nelis.
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“Spotlight” Publisher George Cafouros penned an editorial on how it appeared that Indianapolis police were more interested in writing speeding tickets than pursuing the youths who were throwing rocks at cars from overpasses along Madison Avenue. In one day the department received 18 complaints, one coming from George Weber, whose windshield was shattered.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1975

The Near South Christian Women’s Group hosted a luncheon luau, where the performers included (from left) Mrs. Raymond Laughlin, Vicki Yates, Mrs. Al Liewellyn and Teresa Snoddy.
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Lisa (left) and Karla Haviland, daughters of Dr. and Mrs. David Haviland, took first-place honors in their age groups in the variety division of the Indiana State Fair’s talent contest. Lisa, a sophomore at Perry Meridian, and Karla, 12, performed acrobat-jazz routines, with Karla adding some acrobatic maneuvers to hers.    

* * *
Grade schools participating in the National Nutrition and Milk Program served lunch for 50 cents and a carton of milk for 6 cents.  
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Headed by Ray Strack, the Perry Township Democrat Club made contributions to councilman candidates Ralph LaGrotte, Paul Gutzwiller and Rosemary Vandivier, who were vying for seats in Districts 24, 25 and 20, respectively.
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German beer and food would be the main attraction during Oktoberfest at German Park.
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The Southside Exchange Club was selling shirts, pants, blouses and dresses for 10 cents at its rummage sale, where suits and coats cost $1.
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Mesdames Barry Smith, Steven Dalzell, Ralph McCormick, John Winkler and Donald Denny were initiated into Epsilon Tau chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa.
 
Forty Years Ago This Week – 1985
Ground was broken for the Indianapolis Zoo in White River State Park. Officials estimated the facility would open in the spring of 1988.
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Coached by Cynthia McClain and Doris Kendall, Perry Meridian High School’s varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders attended cheer camps at DePauw University in Greencastle. The varsity squad featured Lisa Feigel, Lisa Hohn, Heather Mann, Leah Manson, Stacey Moye, Diana Spence and Suzi Thoman. The JV group consisted of Julie Bell, Amy Druetzler, Stephanie Keller, Natalie Sims and Robyn Sobieray.
* * *
Sam Rose International Food Distributors opened a cash and carry store at 319 S. New Jersey St., where 10 pounds of potatoes cost 49 cents and 10 pounds of hamburger patties were $10.95.
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Fred Fleetwood, Blackie Braden, Joe Osbourne, Jesse Blackwell and Ed Jones were among the “duffers” who participated in the third annual Blackie Braden golf outing at Martinsville Country Club.
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Roncalli senior quarterback Joe Kuntz ran for a touchdown and  threw for another as the Rebels defeated Franklin Central 21-12 in the season opener for both teams. Joe Gillum put the game out of reach for the Flashes when he scored on a 6-yard run.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Steven Dickhaus and Rosalyn VanAlstyne, teachers at Southport and Center Grove high schools, respectively, were finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year.
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Circle Centre Mall celebrated its grand opening.
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White Castle opened a restaurant at Interstate 465 and State Road 37, where a breakfast special (sandwich, hash browns, medium coffee) was served for 99 cents.
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Featuring 16 classrooms and a choir room, the $1.2 million addition at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4702 S. U.S. 31, was completed.
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Yours truly penned a column to highlight the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Casse in coordinating the Sky Concert fireworks show from the banks of the White River. The display was phenomenal and featured more than 1,500 shells, the largest (12 inches) of which were packed in 55-gallon barrels of sand.  
   
Twenty Years Ago This Week – 2005
The archives from 2005 are missing.

Ten Years Ago This Week - 2015

Diane Grit, Rich Van Paris and (from left) Kurt Mann, Dave Nelson and Steve Pyatte were among the 120-plus volunteers who organized the ABC Labor Day Miracle Mile Parade along Madison Avenue from Southern to Sumner avenues.
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Nativity grade-schoolers (from left) Aubrey Kirkhoff, Alex Mendoza, Olivia Mendoza and Sydney Kirkhoff enjoyed an evening of roller skating at Wheels of Wonder.
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​Roncalli senior Cole Copsey was awarded a $50,000 scholarship to Wabash College while attending Hoosier Boys State at Trine University in Angola, Ind. The program simulated Indiana’s political process and participants campaigned to win various offices.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Nearly 330 pupils, including 57 first-graders, were enrolled at St. Barnabas School, which would soon open its doors for the first time. The faculty featured four Benedictine nuns, Sisters M. Carlene Eckert, Marie Oliger, M. Bernadette Funk and M. Bernardine Ludwig. Completing the staff were Jerry Gudorf, Terry Worland, Providence Tantillo, Mrs. Frank Mapel and Mrs. Herman Spacke Jr. 
* * *
Sears, Roebuck & Co. was going to open in a couple of weeks at the new Greenwood Center, which was Indiana’s largest shopping mall. The store would also be the biggest – 260,000 square feet – at the 87-acre complex. L.S. Ayres & Co. was going to open a week after Sears.
* * *
Sanders Cleaners celebrated its 25th anniversary. Brothers Larry, Tom and Bob Sanders operated stores at 3709 and 7017 Madison Ave. and in Greenwood.
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Robert Bonke and Hugh Baker served as chairmen of the benefit dance for the Latin School Foundation at Monsignor Downey Knights of Columbus Council 3660, 511 E. Thompson Road, where the Russ Carlyle Orchestra performed.
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Dr. D. Mathew Thoman opened a dental practice at 7210 Madison Ave. A graduate of Wabash College and Indiana University School of Dentistry, he and his wife, Carolyn, had two children, Rob and Kimberly.
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In an odd letter to the editor that was penned as to be written by people buried at Holy Cross, Calvary and Hebrew cemeteries, the headline read, “Deceased citizens protest city plans, which called for developing dumps near burial grounds. 

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1975

Perry Township 4-H members (from left) Kim Wiles, Sally Hohlt, Susan Schmid, Annmarie Huber, Lynn Spivey and Chris Ernst were named champions of the Marion County Fair’s dress revue and would compete at the Indiana State Fair. 
* * *
James Seltzer, a retired engineer, taught a course in making telescopes at Indiana Central University.
* * *
Jacob Freije wanted all of his friends to know that he celebrated his 73rd birthday at Princess Lake.
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A dozen ears of corn cost 80 cents at Rucker’s Greenhouses, 5336 Bluff Road, where watermelons, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes and onions were also sold at bargain prices.
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William Haines, who had driven about 400,000 miles in 29 years with Ryder, was nominated for Truck Driver of the Month by the Indiana Motor Truck Association.
 
Forty Years Ago This Week – 1985
To help curb the problem of teens cruising along “The Strip” on South U.S 31 and Madison Avenue and loitering on business properties, police were given powers of attorney to arrest trespassers. (I bet today’s officers would love for that to be the biggest teen issue they have to deal with.) 
* * *

Marion County Prosecutor Stephen Goldsmith (front center) hosted the Hoosiers Against Drunk Driving conference at the University of Indianapolis. Students from Perry Meridian High School who attended the program were (front row) Kim Day, Amy Scott, Marie Tansinsin; (second row) Joan Mathauer, Becky Brehob, Sherry Moore, Randy Head; (third row) Beth Probst, Karin Gödel, Brent Keith and Michele Poppenger.
* * *

Monsignor Downey Knights of Columbus was presented a plaque for its service to youth. On hand for the ceremony were Anna Mary Sullivan, Mike and Sue Delaney, Grand Knight Tim Hayes, Marion County Sheriff Lt. James Ellen Jr. and Sheriff James Wells.
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The Rev. Gerald Kirkhoff was appointed pastor of St. Jude Church, where he would serve with the Rev. Francis Dooley. Kirkhoff replaced the Rev. William Morley, who had recently died.
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Larry Harrell, owner of Harrell’s Car Wash, 4128 Madison Ave., was treated to a steak dinner by the Rev. Quinten Small of Southport Presbyterian Church for being in business 25 years.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1995
More than 350 guests attended a dinner garden party at Garfield Park, which raised $60,000 toward a goal of $2.3 million for renovation projects at the Southside landmark. The musical entertainment was provided by the Steve Allee Big Band and Cathy Morris & Collage.

The Southside Exchange Club continued its program of recognizing businesses that flew the American flag. Club past president John Maxwell (right) and Judy Padgett (left) presented a plaque to Lauren Piper, an employee of Starvin’ Marvin at 4120 E. Southport Road.
* * *

Roncalli football fans included (in no particular order) Greg, Mary Clare and Tony Strack, Jim Kiefer, Helen Lanahan, Fred and Mary Fields, Ben and MJ Stallings.
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The German-American Klub was hosting its 21st annual Oktoberfest for two weekends at German Park, 8602 S. Meridian St.
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Representatives from city and state transportation departments were planning a meeting to discuss their plans for widening Stop 11 Road from U.S. 31 to Madison Avenue.
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Edgewood Preschool buddies John Gregory and Sawyer Smith visited the Indianapolis Children’s Museum on dress-up day.
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While posting a 38-20 record resulted in an exciting season for the Center Grove Lassie League 14U softball team, the real thrill came dodging Hurricane Erin during the National Softball Association tournament in Jupiter, Fla., where the squad finished 2-2. Team members were Jenny Ancelet, Jaime Richards, Katie Davis, Amanda Allanson, Christina Vanderberg, Katie Stephon, Nikki Smith, Kim Lohr, Jill Paxson, Kelli Lay, Sarah Robards, Jamie Mennel, Melissa Hurm, Kristi Reinacker and coaches Jack Stephon, Bob Lohr and Bill Davis.
   
Twenty Years Ago This Week – 2005
The archives from 2005 are missing.
 
Ten Years Ago This Week — 2015

The youth board of directors for Anna’s Celebration of Life Foundation, which strived to improve the lives of children with special needs, included Roncalli students (front, from left) Maddie Faust, Shelby Buckley, Annie Davey, Abby Gervasio, Margaret McCloskey; (back) Eli Dougherty, Alex Martinez, Chad Ransburg and Jacob Allard.

60 Years Ago This Week — 1964
Charles Orme was elected president of the Perry Township School Board.
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More than 10,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses descended upon Indianapolis for a four-day convention.
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As part of the Happy Homemakers and Night 4-H Club meeting, Debbie Winslow demonstrated the correct way to set a table, and Norma Paugh illustrated the proper way to sift dry ingredients.
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Manual High School announced that it would offer a complete line of night classes in the fall, all of which were free for students working toward a degree.
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Garfield Park’s annual contest for children featured competitions in vocal/instrumental and dance/novelty.

50 Years Ago This Week — 1974
Guy, 19, and Greg De Boor 16, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Donald De Boor, pedaled 1,030 miles over 14 days to Clearwater Beach, Fla. The boys called home every night with a progress report from wherever they were staying. Guy was a sophomore at IUPUI, Greg a sophomore at Manual.
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Alpha Sigma Lamda’s Evening Honor Society of Indiana Central College elected its officers: (from left) Ken Parks, treasurer; Diane Mullendore, vice president; Margaret Haverstick, president; and Mary Ann Skaggs, secretary.
Kings Island in Cincinnati cut its Sunday admission price for senior citizens to $3.50 from $7.
* * *
Eric Wild, a 14-year jeweler who had been associated with L.S. Ayres and Zales, took his talents to McCarrell’s Jewelers, 2610 Madison Ave. he and his wife, Roselyn, had three daughters, Sandra, Cynthia and Katherine.
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Beech Grove Bowl owners Darlene and Glenn Gossage planned to build a 42-lane bowling center at 400 E. Churchman Ave.

40 Years Ago This Week — 1984
Steve Battiato and David Strack, both Roncalli graduates, were named Eagle Scouts after completing their service projects.
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The Holiday Inn South, 520 E. Thompson Road, broke ground on a $2.5 million Holidome. Olive Markel, an employee at the hotel since its opening in 1963, participated in the ceremony. Innkeeper Joe Dora said the expansion would feature indoor and outdoor pools, recreational and physical fitness facilities and banquet and meeting rooms.
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Educational research analysts reported that the top offenses in public schools in 1940 were chewing gum, making noise, running in the halls and getting out of turn in line. Forty years later the list had changed to rape, robbery, assault, burglary and arson. Ah, for the simpler days.
* * *
GPC cigarettes cost 65 cents a pack at Dinner Bell Markets, 2824 Shelby St., where two cases of Budweiser or Miller Lite were $15.

30 Years Ago This Week — 1994

​ Brenda Sturgeon, a registered nurse and a member of Rosedale Hills United Methodist Church, spent two weeks in Haiti caring for malnourished babies and children. “Food was scarce and fuel was nearly impossible to acquire,” she said. “It seemed like everyone needed medical and nutritional care.”

​* * *
Bryce Johnson, Stuart Rogers, Jon Berry, Jacob Harris, Matt Ward and Kevin Noon were among 116 math students honored at the Statehouse.
* * *  
The following quip was published: “If you have money you are not a dirty old man; you are a dignified, elderly gentleman.”
* * *
A new state law made it illegal to use beepers and portable phones on school property.
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Greenwood Park Mall adopted a smoke-free policy.
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The Coors Brewing Co. sponsored a cleanup project at Garfield Park.

​20 Years Ago This Week — 2004
Soldiers at Camp Taqaddum in Iraq celebrated Independence Day with activities that included a comedy show, a blues concert, a barbecue and a softball tournament, in which Brig. Gen. Richard Kramlich threw out the first pitch.
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Coached by Nikki Glover, the Indy Air Bears took third-place honors at the U.S. Amateur Jump Rope Championships in Orlando, Fla. Jessica Evinger won a silver medal in freestyle, and she teamed with Alex Green to garner a silver in pairs freestyle.
* * *
Nancy Smith, Victoria Balser, Marge McMahon, Betsy North, Carolyn Miller, Joan Davidson, Karen Fudge, Mary Kenworthy and Dottie Bowman, all members of the Baxter YMCA Quilting Group, quilted 45 blankets for premature babies at Methodist Hospital.
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​Members of Greenwood Girl Scout Troop 1026 received Silver Awards for their community service. Those pictured are (seated) Allyson Hoch, Allyson Vance, Katie Moberg; (standing) Deborah Hearn Smith, CEO of the Hoosier Capital Council, Cindy Pervis, Emily Beach, Amanda Vidal, troop leader Barb Hoch and Deb McCloud.

10 Years Ago This Week — 2014

Spring, summer, winter or fall, Larry Elliott, the mail courier for Perry Townships Schools, was busy delivering mail and packages to all the district’s facilities.

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Jerry Sloan, a 2014 graduate of Beech Grove High School, received a college scholarship from real estate agent David Brenton. Sloan, seen with his mother, Mrs. Sloan, earned a 4.25 GPA (third in his class), lettered in golf and baseball and was a member of the National Honor Society.