Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1956
Enthusiastic over progress made in remodeling the Beghtel Farm, 1941 E. Hanna Ave., into the Southside YMCA, more than 400 Southsiders were prepared to make an urgent appeal for funds that would complete the project, which included a pool, tennis courts and baseball diamonds.
* * *
Leo Friedman Floor Coverings, 1433 S. Meridian St., installed stainless vinyl floors for less than $25 ... if the room was 12-by-8-feet or smaller. 
* * * 
The Perry Township PTA elected its officers for the upcoming school year: Mrs. John E. Kleinhenz, president; Elmer Higbie, first vice president; Hugh Thompson, second vice president; Mrs. E.J. McGee, secretary; Mrs. Llody Weaver, treasurer; and Mrs. William McMillan, Mrs. O. Janert and John Pollard, advisory board members. 
* * *
Sacred Heart High School’s band, which had won a statewide contest, was going to showcase its award-winning music during a spring concert.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1966
Indiana Central College dedicated its $1.25 million Louis Schwitzer Center, which was used for the school’s non-academic activities.     
* * *
Specials at Buck’s Quality Foods, 3001 S. Meridian St., were sirloin and T-bone steaks for 99 cents and $1.09 a pound, respectively, ground beef, 49 cents a pound; a gallon of milk, 69 cents; and five cans of corn, $1.
* * *
Larry P. Crawford was going to be ordained a priest. A graduate of St. Catherine of Siena Grade School and St. Meinrad College of Liberal Arts and School of Theology, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Crawford.
 
Forty Years Ago This Week – 1976
The PTA of Burkhart Elementary was hosting its annual Home and Garden Tour. The featured homes belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Grimsey, Mrs. Norma Jean Erwin, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Johnson, Joe and Dr. Connie VanValer, Mr. and Mrs. John Garrity, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Edwards and Mr. and Mrs. James Long.  
* * *
Bill Heidenreich was holding an open house at Heidenreich Greenhouses, 502 E. National Ave.    
* * *
Warren Whittaker, an agent for State Farm, was named to the company’s Millionaire Club for selling more than $1 million worth of insurance during 1975.  
* * *
Political ads were abundant. Seeking office were Martha McCardle, William Myers, Paul Lewis, Doris Dorbecker, Melvin Dilk, William Hohlt, James Wessel, Don Mantooth, Howard Keeler, Gene Leeuw, George Schmid, Lester Neal, Tex Kline, Byron Fowler, Marie Lauck, Robert Bales, David Crane, Larry Borst, Robert Bush, “Chic” Wieting, James Stainbrook, Catherine VanArsdale, Forest Handon Jr. and Mary Ann Seyfried. 

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1986
Mayor William H. Hudnut officiated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the newly completed Beech Street Bridge over Pleasant Run Creek. 
* * *
Tom Hathaway, a popular science teacher and an acclaimed track coach at Southport High School, completed the Boston Marathon in 3 hours, 19 minutes. He had hoped for a time of 3:15, but the conditions were less than ideal: cold, rainy and windy.    
* * *
A story was published about the trip that Roncalli French Club members took to Paris over spring break. Pictured outside of Versailles were Mickey Bilitz, Mary Pendick, Lisa Vernick, Jeanine Strack, Mark Anderson, Mary Foote, Jeanne Lawrie, Kathy Vodde, Renee Schmidt, Laura Eizmember and Mike Gentile.  
* * *
Lincoln Elementary PTA members Nita Taylor, Dorothy Jarvis, Judy Lewis, Marty McCoun, Vicki Fox, Jan Krohne, Charisse Angell and Pat Hardy provided some entertainment during their meeting by singing. 
  
Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1996
A tornado damaged many homes on the Far Southside. Valley Ridge Farms, off Stop 11 and Bluff roads, was hit particularly hard. Miraculously, no deaths or serious injuries were reported, although many people endured life-threatening situations.   
* * *
With her students excitingly watching, Jeanne Schott, a first-grade teacher at St. Mark Catholic School, bottle-fed one of the Indianapolis Zoo’s 375-pound baby walruses. Schott’s unique experience was the reward for her class’s winning submission in naming one of the babies.   
* * *
Teams from Center Grove, Roncalli and Southport high schools advanced to the finals of the Ameritech Hoosier Academic Super Bowl.
* * *
The Spotlight won several awards at Community Papers of Indiana’s annual conference at the Embassy Suites North. Mike Delaney was honored for his photography, and Kelly Smith was recognized for her ad design.

Ten Years Ago This Week – 2006
The archives from 2006 are missing.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1956
King and queen candidates for Manual High School’s junior prom were Pat Clancy, David Koepper, Tim McQuire, Jim Hohlt, Brice Tressler, Gail Wayman, Joan Ellis, Barbara Haynes, Barbara Acton, Linda Moody, Martha Clay Turner and Joann Dryer.
* * *
Airman Joseph L. Merida, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Merida, was stationed in Birkefield, Germany, where he upped his bowling average to 201 while winning eight trophies. 
* * * 
Ray Smith, Price Lockard, Russell Spears, Ray Miller and Floyd and Dennis Blankenship – known as The Sundown Playboys – were appearing at the Stokely Union Hall, 749 Union St. 
* * *
The attendance rate at Indianapolis Public Schools increased to 93.8 percent, the highest in 21 years.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1966
Junior Henselmeier opened Henselmeier’s Saddlery and Western Wear at 10001 S. U.S. 31, Greenwood.     
* * *
Barbara Baker was pictured modeling a $250 wig, which Avonshire Coiffure, 5140 Madison Ave., was going to give away in a raffle.
* * *
The Ladies Club of Monsignor Downey Knights of Columbus Council 3660, 511 E. Thompson Road, was finalizing its plans for a huge fashion show. Serving as chairwomen of the various events were Dorothy Sheridan, Idabelle Prestel, Marge Dicks, Suzanne Click, Clara Biggers, Catherine Massing, Ann Laker, Sally McCarthy, Loretta Dunn, Flo Ansel, Diane Callon, Lorraine Schroeder, Evelyn Mastelers, Denni O’Riley, Mag Mascari and Jerri Short. 
 
Forty Years Ago This Week – 1976
* * *
Cynthia Nevitt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Nevitt and a freshman at Ball State, was named Miss Congeniality at the university’s scholarship pageant. Nevittt, a graduate of Roncalli, was studying home economics. 
* * *
Marie Burke, Carole Causey and Kay Harlan were preparing for an arts, crafts and antique fair at the Meridian Woods clubhouse.    
* * *
The grand opening of Smock Golf Course, 3910 E. County Line Road, was just three weeks away.  
* * *
Karla Haviland, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. David K. Haviland, was selected by Walt Disney Productions to audition for the new Showtime segment of the New Mickey Mouse Club. 
  
Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1986
Mayor William W. Hudnut declared the city’s annual war on potholes, citing, “Although we experienced a relatively mild winter, the street crews are in full gear to exercise the DOT strategy for combatting chuckholes.”
* * *
Perry Meridian High School won its second consecutive Brain Game championship by defeating Cathedral 82-76. Team members were David Stone, Randall Head, Matthew Kinsey, Peter Miller, Laura Bennett, David Kinsey and sponsors JoAnn Brown and David Moulton.
* * *
John Sommers, Annetta Davis, Scott King, Sarah Wallace, James Craig Jr., Shane Hess, Laura, Ann and Tim Reece, Jennifer Williams and Colleen Boyle served as pages in the Indiana General Assembly. 
* * *
Army Spc. 4 Steve Litton, son of Don and Ruth Litton, visited with fourth-graders at Homecroft Elementary while on leave after his tour of duty with the 595th Maintenance Company in Seoul, Korea.
  
Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1996
Roncalli launched a 14-month capital campaign fund to raise funds for a renovation and expansion project, which included 24 new classrooms and a media center.   
* * *
Perry Meridian senior Toni Lin, daughter of Leon and Phylis Lin, was named an academic all-star. Lin, just the third Perry student to receive the honor in the school’s 23-year history, planned to study medicine at either Purdue or Notre Dame. 
* * *
Delainey Bowers and Spencer Putt, who attended MacArthur Elementary, were honored for their participation in the state PTA Reflections Program. The initiative provided an avenue for pupils to exhibit their original works of art in music, literature and photography.
* * *
Elizabeth Jansen and Jenny Kocker had lead roles in Roncalli’s production of “Into the Woods.”

Ten Years Ago This Week – 2006
The archives from 2006 are missing.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1956
The Indiana Central Y Babe Ruth Baseball League elected its officers: Earl Wallace, president; George Scarce, vice president; Mrs. Francis Lesser, secretary; Harold Zaiser, treasurer; Mrs. John Reese, publicity; Ernest Brunoehler, league contact; and Robert Guthier, district commissioner.
* * *
A dependable grade school girl offered her baby-sitting services for 50 cents an hour. 
* * * 
A 21-inch black-and-white TV was marked down to $157.61 from $239.95 at Higgins Appliances, 2604 Madison Ave. The payments were $1.87 a week. 
* * *
Cecil Hurt Mortuary held a one-game lead (58-32 to 57-33) over Thoman Shoe Store in the St. Catherine Bowling League. John McHugh rolled the top series (612) and game (234), and Smoky Callahan picked up the 6-7-10 split twice. 

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1966
Southport High School students Bob Leonhardt, Theresa Adams, Carman Geiger and Susan Stumph were serving as directors of the theater department’s trilogy of one-act plays.   
* * *
Mary Lou Schumacher, a freshman at St. Agnes Academy, won the Best Actress Award for comedy for her performance in the school’s production of “Ah Romance” in the Catholic Youth Organization’s play contest.
* * *
Sacred Heart High School graduates Mike Zahn, Bill Kemmerer, Batts Conway, Vincent Raja, Bill Schott, Kenny Duncan and John Oechsle were planning an alumni basketball tournament.
* * *
Southport chapter of Psi Iota Xi was hosting a card party and a wig show at the Italian American Society, 3850 S. Meridian St. 
 
Forty Years Ago This Week – 1976
Harriet C. Allen, daughter of Paul and Betty Jacks, was crowned queen of Southern Plaza in celebration of the shopping center’s 15th anniversary. Other finalists were Emily Abel, Angela Bellamy, Denise Bohman, Nancy Jo Best, Karen Bohn, Debbie Caldwell, Cheryl Clay, Martha Ann Herbig, Phyllis Lang, Karen Ann Luckey, Ellen Marie McDonald, Paula Overton, Jayne Sims and Nanette Wise.
* * *
Bonnie Temperly, Sharon Hedegard and Peggy Magee, members of South Group Women’s Committee of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, were busy preparing for their membership drive and fashion show at Valle Vista Country Club.   
* * *
The Big Red Barn Roller Rink, 1265 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood, offered free admission with a paid one. 
     
Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1986
Southport senior Todd Hottell, son of Ken and Georgia Hottell, signed a letter of intent to play football at Indiana Central University.
* * *
The new $2.5 million Southport post office opened at 1701 E. Edgewood Ave. About 115 employees worked at the facility, where they processed more than 165,000 pieces of mail daily, according to manager Charles Berger Jr.
* * *
Brock Terry, a senior at Southport and the son of Jane Terry, was named an Eagle Scout, the highest honor attainable in Scouting.
* * *
Kristi Bell, Lisa Berkemeier and Kimberly Wildridge were the winners in Southern Plaza’s Easter coloring contest. 
* * *
Ponderosa introduced its buffet sundae bar for 59 cents with every meal.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1996
Ray Schultz, a 1959 graduate of Manual, was named the school’s Alumnus of the Year. Schultz had devoted most of his adult life to his alma mater, having served 32 years as a teacher, a coach and an athletic director. He and his wife, Sandy, had three children, Kristi Broughton, Karen Alter and Steve, all alumni.   
* * *
Roncalli workshop students Rick Lawrey, Paul Schouten, Josh Miller, Jerod Billerman, David Armburster, Ezra Hill, Phil Strack and Joe and Tony Agresta were making birdhouses for local Catholic cemeteries. 
* * *
Perry Meridian High School’s speech team placed third in the state meet and boasted individual champions in Emily Allen, radio broadcasting, and Keshar Williams, discussion. Nick Gladden and Nicholas Stadtmiller placed sixth and eighth in discussion and U.S. extemporaneous, respectively.
* * *
The Perry Wildcats won the inaugural March Madness basketball tournament hosted by Southport Middle School. Team members were John Spicer, Brandon Yates, Rus Rowley, Mike Westlake, Brent Moore, Steve Howell, Todd Borgman, Kern Woods, Mark Franklin, Kyle Morrison, Bobby Woods, Michael Williams and coaches Terry Yates and Rich Westlake.

Ten Years Ago This Week 2006
The archives from 2006 are missing.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1956
Dr. Victor H. Mercer, a dentist, opened a general practice at 1051 E. Raymond St. A graduate of Indiana University School of Dentistry, he was married to the former Carolyn M. Faure. 
* * * 
Candidates for Perry Township Junior High School’s sports queen were Delores Hogue, Artith Bright, Sue Gardner, Myra Graves, Marcia Brittan, Charlene Losche, Donna Mahon, Judy Mullis, Jayne Tegler and Edith Schnier.
* * *
Bloomfield Jewelery, 1101 S. Meridian St., was celebrating its sixth anniversary with a huge sale. 

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1966
The Pizza Inn, 7023 Madison Ave., was opened by Ellsworth Cook, who was assisted by Lewis Bailey. Specials included a large pizza for 98 cents.   
* * *
Prologue Players, the Southside’s contribution to the local theater scene, was hosting a family-style chicken dinner before staging “The Public Eye” at the Holiday Inn South, 520 E. Thompson Road.
* * *
Emmett Herr was named athletic director at Sacred Heart Central High School. He replaced Bob Wilbur, who had accepted the head football coaching position at Bishop Knoll Institute in Hammond, Ind.
* * *
Safeway Quality Foods, 1201 Prospect St., was holding a big Easter sale. Specials included whole smoked hams for 49 cents a pound, five cans of green beans, $1; a dozen eggs, 49 cents; 5 pounds of sugar, 49 cents; and four rolls of toilet tissue, 29 cents. 
 
Forty Years Ago This Week – 1976
A home show was being held to showcase the new houses in Ridge Hills Trails, near Stop 11 and Bluff roads.
* * *
Girl Scouts from Fountain Square raised nearly $1,000 in an effort to help renovate the Garfield Park pagoda.   
* * *
A.O. Diaz & Co. Realtors opened an office at 1515 E. Southport Road. The company’s agents were Larry Tuttle, Bob Bellmore, Pat Waisner, Mike Baxter, Jim Hammond, Nancy Bailey, Terry Shannon, Tom Robinson and Carl Huber. 
   
Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1986
Hunger Inc., which was operating its pantry out of a mobile home behind Orme Floor Coverings at Old Meridian Street and Epler Avenue, was looking for a new site to call home. 
* * *
Jack Brink Music Center, 2554 Madison Ave., was celebrating its 20th anniversary.    
* * *
Jim Talhelm took first-place honors in the speech contest hosted by the Greater Greenwood Toastermaster Club.
* * *
Keith B. Van Deman was named director of development at Indiana Central University, where he had served as an admissions counselor for one year and director of alumni relations for six years.
  
Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1996
The following chuckle was published: “Well, darling,” greeted the boy’s mother as he walked into the kitchen, “were you a good boy at school today?”
“Sure,” answered the lad. “How much trouble can you get into standing in a corner all day!”   
* * *
Boy Scout Troop 118 from St. Roch Catholic Church collected more than 70 bags of canned goods during its food drive. The Scouts and their leaders included Victor and Andy Risch, Ryan Baumann, Gabe Fleck, Ryan Davis, Matt Medcalf, Gene, Darren and Brian McWilliams, Chris Erazmus, Zach Churnousky, Bob and Matt Coffman and Nathan Mazza. 
* * *
The area of Homecroft bounded by Loretta and Maynard avenues between Madison and Orinoco avenues was entered in the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of Energy.
* * *
St. Jude Grade School wrestlers Greg Dant and Mike Shaw took first-place honors in the Catholic Youth Organization tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
* * *
The seventh-grade girls basketball team from Southport Middle School won the Fulton Invitational Tournament by defeating Perry Meridian Middle 43-24. The winning squad featured Jill Ransdell, Melissa Pennington, Katie Frommeyer, Megan Duckworth, Desiree Hamilton, Ashley Linson, Julia Large, Abby Mercer, Jenna Reardon, Leslie Durham, Sara Petronie, Lauren Chaney, Allison Rosemeyer, Laura Hayden and coach Steve Covele.

Ten Years Ago This Week – 2006
The archives from 2006 are missing.