60 Years Ago This Week - 1959
Hal Bailey and His Orchestra was performing at the 500 Festival dance at Monsignor Downey Knights of Columbus Council 3660, 511 E. Thompson Road. Admission was $1.50 per couple.
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Lewellyn Hardward, formerly known as C.H. McDowell Hardware for many years, was celebrating its grand opening at 935 S. Meridian St. The news release reported that an attractive 11-quart plastic pail cost only 10 cents when purchasing a gallon of paint.
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The starting pay for postal clerks was $2 an hour.

50 Years Ago This Week - 1969
Stephen Speth and Sherry Meyers were honored as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of Kennedy Memorial High School, which was hosting it final graduation ceremony before closing.
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Dick Holler managed the new Turtle Creek gasoline and service station, which opened at 505 E. Thompson Road.
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The Rev. Julius Armbruster celebrated his 25th jubilee of ordination at St. Catherine of Sienna Church.
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Nancy Hopper, Robin and Joy Partridge and Kim Graham, members of Brownie Girl Scouts Troop 566, assisted the Rev. Charles Lane in planting two trees at Rosedale Hills United Methodist Church.

40 Years Ago This Week - 1979
Grace Garza and Sam Priddle were crowned queen and king of Manual High School’s junior prom.
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Thomas J. Dent, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Dent, and Mark C. Dietel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Dietel, were named to the dean’s list at the University of Dayton.
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30 Years Ago This Week - 1989
Dee Hopkins, a 1965 graduate of Southport High School and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Connerly, received a teaching award from the University of Wyoming.
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Rick Mears won the pole for the Indianapolis 500 with a record-qualifying speed of 223.885 mph. Al Unser Sr. was in the middle of the front row at 223.471; Emerson Fittapaldi was on the outside at 222.329.
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Mary Beth Schueth graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine and was going to do her residency in internal medicine at Methodist Hospital. Scheuth, a graduate of Perry Meridian and Notre Dame, was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schueth.

20 Years Ago This Week - 1999
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The Indy Falcons basketball team finished third in the Hoosier State Games. The squad featured Karrie Scaringe, Chelsea Holliday, Jean Schoettle, Amy McCoy, Marcie Morgan, Christy Sering, Rachel Terlep, Amanda Gully, Megan Robbins and coach Chris Zigovits.

10 Years Ago This Week - 2009
Kennedy Tank & Manufacturing, 833 E. Sumner Ave., was shipping its heaviest tank ever constructed to Michigan. The carbon steel column weighed 250,000 pounds and was 175 feet long.
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Randy (left) and Nancy Pieper finished restoring a dilapidated greenhouse that had been in their family since 1914. They are seen with neighbor Mike Etchinson, whose orchid cactus hung in the background.
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Southport High School’s Alumni Association awarded nearly $40,000 in scholarships to 54 seniors, including (from left) Anthony Rippy, Kristine Morgan and Christopher Drullinger

60 Years Ago This Week - 1959
Union Federal Savings & Loan Association was remodeling the old Hawkins Drug Store at Madison and Southern avenues so it could open a branch there.
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Edgewood Paint & Supply, 5353 Madison Ave., was holding a big sale on DuPont products.
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Indiana Bell offered a second telephone line to its customers for $2.50 a month. Families could tell from the distinctive rings for whom the call was intended.
 
50 Years Ago This Week - 1969  
Manual High School’s senior class was presenting the play “Anastasia,” which depicted the events that immediately followed the Russian Revolution. Lead roles were played by Carol Hill, Michael Gray, Marge Boyd, Mark Garringer, Charlie Wheeler, Joe Koenig and Donald Norcross.
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Plans were underway for the Greater Southside Inc.’s Strawberry Festival and Art Exhibit at the Southside Civic Center, 1941 E. Hanna Ave.
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Southport High School’s Exercise in Knowledge Team won the city championship by defeating Broad Ripple 170-160. Team members were Barry Moore, Brad Braden, Ross Patronsky, Scott Starks, Jim Luckey, Bob Johnson and Jan Frick.

40 Years Ago This Week - 1979  
Angie Doty, a junior at Southport, won a bicycle at the disco/rockathon at Baxter YMCA.
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Patricia’s School of Dance was presenting “Showtime of ‘79” at Greenwood High School. Tickets cost 75 cents for children, $1.75 for adults.
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Indiana Central University seniors Erhard Bell and Roberta Loyd and sophomore Joy Gent were named aides to ICU President Gene E. Sease for the 1979-80 school year.
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The big band sound of Nick Craig’s Orchestra could be heard at The Chateau Restaurant, 8902 St. Peter St.

30 Years Ago This Week - 1989  
Due to numerous complaints from nearby residents, cruisers at Garfield Park could expect added heat from Indianapolis law enforcement personnel, according to Police Chief Paul Annee. Cruising the park wasn’t illegal, he said, but it was annoying and created unnecessary noise after the grounds had closed.
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Roncalli baseball coach John Wirtz celebrated his 300th career win when the Rebels defeated Broad Ripple 7-5.

Classes of Ruth Hurrle and Chris Garrity at Perry Meridian High were participating in a schoolwide recycling program as part of a ser-vice learning project created by Hurrle.

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Roncalli senior Chris Price, son of Janet and Tom Price, signed a letter of intent to play football at the University of Indianapolis.

10 Years Ago This Week - 2009
Rose Marie Williams Ryker Perkins was wrapping up 20 years of restoring the 132-year-old Stumpf Mansion on South Meridian Street. The two-story house was once home to the Stumpf Bros. Meat Packing Co. Perkins had transformed the Italianate structure into Brierwood Interiors, which she owned.
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Tipsey’s Bar & Grill, 8249 S. U.S. 31, featured daily food and drink specials, including pitchers of beer for $5.

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Free food, music, games and a children’s bike raffle were part of the Indianapolis Police Department Southeast District’s Community Day at Garfield Park.
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Grace Moeller (pictured right) displayed her hula hoop skills at the Southport Street Festival.

60 Years Ago This Week - 1959 
Dave Field, an expert on termites, advised homeowners to check their homes for termite infestation. “They swarm in the spring and fall,” he said, “but they work year-round.”
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Oddfellow Lodge 465 and Fidelity Rebekah Lodge 227 were hosting a card party at their hall, 1609 Prospect St.
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Jimmy’s Pizza, 1314 Shelby St., offered a coupon good for 25 cents off any of its large pies. The pizzeria also sold milk, bread, canned goods and other staples. 
 
50 Years Ago This Week - 1969
Construction was underway to add 200 beds to the 300-bed St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove.
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Wabash College senior Chuck Todd, a graduate of Manual High School and husband of the former Deirdre Jean Gentry, won a trophy in a persuasive speech contest. Todd, son Mr. and Mrs. S. Boyd Todd, planned to attend Duke University Law School.
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Michael R. Smith, a junior at Indiana University and a graduate of Southport High, was elected president of his fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi. An honor student with a 3.45 GPA, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank Smith. 

40 Years Ago This Week - 1979
Roncalli students Mitch Malloy, Jim Shields, Susie Kern and Donald Campbell had lead roles in the school’s production of the musical “Oliver.”
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Charlie Jackson and Joe Curtis were celebrating the grand opening of their Indy Furniture/Sleep Center at 7105 Madison Ave.
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The Indianapolis Maennerchor was celebrating its 125th anniversary with a concert at the Murat Theatre.
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Heidenreich Greenhouses, 502 E. National Ave., was hosting an open house to showcase its petunias, vegetable plants, hanging baskets, houseplants, geraniums and perennials. 

30 Years Ago This Week - 1989
   
Amanda Donnell won the quarterly drawing for a stuffed animal at the Thoman dental clinic.
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Southside Art League members (from left) Jean Garro, Mary Tarkington, Ron Mack, Meme Kramer Evan Miller, Frank Wings and Pam Hicks were planning their annual show. 
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Nick’s Chili Parlor served a hot dog on a steamed bun with chopped onions, relish and mustard for 75 cents.
 
20 Years Ago This Week - 1999
An advisory committee to Indy Parks & Recreation recommended that West Management be awarded the contract to operate Sarah Shank Golf Course, relieving John Greer of his duties, which dated to 1982.
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The Southport Pride 13-and-under AAU basketball team won tournaments at Perry Meridian and Franklin. The squad featured (front, from left) Molly Taylor, Stephanie Himes, Mellisa Wingate, Krystal Ridner, assistant coach Chuck Dulla, Cassy Unversaw, coach Duane Unversaw, Kim Rhodes, Miranda Winters, Whitney Dulla, Michelle Bova, Jamie Mason, Jessica Trent and coach Jeff Ridner.

10 Years Ago This Week - 2009
The Southport City Council shot down a plan that would have called for a redevelopment commission. “I wish the decision were different, but the council made its choice,” Mayor Rob Thoman said.
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Spc. Adam Daniel (left) was presented the Purple Heart by Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard. Daniel was injured on a combat  mission while serving with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Iraq. He maintained his position and returned fire, successfully defending the convoy. ​

60 Years Ago This Week - 1959  
Fisher Bros. Home Furnishings, a landmark at 1315 Shelby St., was celebrating its 43rd anniversary. Owners Ralph and Carl Fisher were giving away hundreds of dollars of door prizes during the three-day gala.
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Pedigo Jewelers in Fountain Square had marked down all of its merchandise by at least 30 percent; some was discounted 60 percent.
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Bill Singer’s Sunoco Service at the corner of Raymond and East streets advertised that it had the best tire deals in town.
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Andy’s Market, 1239 S. East St., offered free delivery. Weekly specials included a pound of skinless weiners for 49 cents; a can of pineapple chunks, 29 cents; 10 pounds of potatoes, 29 cents; and a pound of bacon, 55 cents.

50 Years Ago This Week - 1969
Sheila Duell, Pat Wilkins and Di Buergler had lead roles in Chartrand High School’s production of “Westside Story.”
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The Tux Shop, 3340 Madison Ave., offered a prom special for $8.50. Fancy coats were available for an additional $2.
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Used TVs, which came with a warranty, were advertised for as little as $9.95.
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Bob and Betty Schmaltz, who had operated a beauty salon for years, opened the Cabaret Lounge at 3151 Madison Ave.
  
40 Years Ago This Week - 1979

Beth Ann Stoid (from left), Alan Barnes and Sandy Mitchell were anxiously awaiting the start of RISE Learning Center’s spring festival, which would feature games, prizes and food.
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More than 3,000 art projects were going to be featured in Perry Township Schools’ art exhibit.
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The starting salary for a probationary firefighter was $11,000; the second-year pay was $13,705. The work schedule was 24 hours on duty, 48 hours off. 

30 Years Ago This Week - 1989

Norm Dalesio was just $45 short of raising $1,000 for children’s programs through his “Kans for Kids” recycling campaign. Dalesio estimated that he would have to collect around 55,000 cans to reach his goal. It took about 27 cans to make a pound, and he got between 50 and 60 cents per pound. 
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Keystone Middle School’s Academic Pursuit Team placed third among the 85 squads that competed in a computerized meet. The team, coached by Kathy Feister, featured Mike Anslinger, James and Andy Baugh, Kirby Lee, Lisa West and Dustin Wright.
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Olde Indy Family Restaurant at Madison Avenue and Stop 11 Road offered specials on its steak dinners every Friday and Saturday evening. Six-ounce ribeyes and 8-ounce top sirloins were served for $5.95, a 6-ounce filet for $6.95 and a 1-pound T-bone cost $7.95.      

20 Years Ago This Week - 1999
Lincoln Elementary School Principal Jon Morris graduated from the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy.
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Center United Methodist Church named Clancy LaTurner as its wedding director.
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Center Grove High School’s color guard placed second in the international winter competition at the University of Dayton. 

10 Years Ago This Week - 2009
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Fred Fleetwood, a 1962 graduate of Southport who starred in football, basketball and baseball, was named to the school’s Wall of Fame. He played basketball at the University of Oklahoma and coached at the high school and collegiate level.​