Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
The threat of a bombing attack and the peril of radioactive dust in rural districts downwind from attacked cities prompted the Federal Civil Defense Administration to urge all families to keep at least a seven-day supply of emergency food on hand.
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Center United Methodist Church was hosting a chicken fry. 
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Indianapolis property owners were warned that it may cost them $100 if they allowed their weeds or other plants to obstruct the view on right-of-ways. Once warned of the violations, residents had 10 days to remove the obstructions. 
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The Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart Church installed Leo Mitchell as president. Other officers were Ted Schott and Fred Sauer, vice presidents; Gene Daeger, secretary; Albert Seyfried, treasurer; John Battiato, Cyril Kuchler and Leo Massing, marshals. 
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Wanamaker’s only tavern closed at 6 p.m. daily.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Ray Crawford’s Hair Styling Salon in Greenwood celebrated its grand opening. The 25,000-square-foot shop was capable of serving 60 clients daily. 
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Eli Lilly and Co. was moving forward with its plans to construct the tallest office building south of Maryland Street. The facility would be the city’s fifth-largest. 
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G.C. Murphy was hosting a huge three-day sidewalk sale that featured sports shirts for $1.50, bras for 67 cents, baseball gloves for $2.77, women’s boots 99 cents and free goldfish.
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Nearly 25 percent, or 24,871, of Indianapolis Public Schools’ students were enrolled in summer school. 

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
Former California Gov. Ronald Reagan visited Indianapolis to meet with mayoral candidate Bill Hudnut, who was facing an uphill battle to take over the mayor’s seat.
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Manual senior Marite Berzin, daughter of Helga Berzin, was crowned queen of the Greater Southside Inc’s Strawberry-Art Festival by longtime civic leader Wallie Sims.
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Ford’s new Mustang II had a sticker price of $3,448.
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Kurt W. Schoch was appointed volunteer coordinator of the Southside Youth Council. A lifetime resident of Perry Township, Schoch was a graduate of Southport High.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
Youths and their cruising and congregating habits along “The Strip” (South East Street) were making local and state headlines. Law enforcement officials and business owners weren’t sure about the best method to combat the problem.
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Holy Rosary Church was gearing up for the ethnic event of the summer, its annual Italian Street Festival.  
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In the wedding/engagement department, Diane Dietz exchanged vows with Andrew Ebbert; Jackie McFadden and Jay Cole were married; Mary Armstrong and Charles Smitt II were engaged; and Christie Bergen was engaged to Darryl Macy.
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Keith Cline, who graduated from Southport and was studying radio and television at Indiana Central University, was named assistant operations manager and news director of WICR-FM, which was owned and operated by ICU.
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Live lobster and 20-ounce T-bone dinners were served for $8.95 at Hagan’s Bar, 1121 E. Troy Ave., on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Brian Hommel, son of Al and Helen Hommel and a 1991 graduate of Perry Meridian, signed a baseball contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. Hommel, drafted in the 21st round, was a senior at the University of Louisville and was fifth in the nation in strikeouts per nine innings. 
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The foursome of Aaron Spencer, Sean and Marvin Christy and Howard Nettles took first-place honors in the benefit golf outing for the Southside Youth Council. The second- and third-place teams were captained by Dean Abplanalp and Bob Uebelhor, respectively.  
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St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fountain Square celebrated its 130th birthday.
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Ground was broken for the new church of Good Shepherd Catholic Parish, which was formed in 1993 from the union of St. Catherine of Siena and St. James. 
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Gina Schouten, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Schouten, was named Student of the Year at Mary Bryan Elementary.
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Torrential rains turned Hanna Avenue into a lake from East Street to Madison Avenue. Most motorists warily navigated the new “waterway,” but other less patient ones were seen with drowned-out engines and their car hoods raised.  
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Andrew Dietz and Chris Laughland graduated from Mary Bryan Elementary with perfect attendance records.
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Mike Renfro, who starred in football, basketball and baseball at Beech Grove High, was named Marion County Athlete of the Year by The Indianapolis Star.

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

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
Garfield Park announced its summer schedule of musicals and variety shows.
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Ads for home appliances and furnishings took up more than half of the eight-page paper. 
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Leo’s Bait & Tackle Shop, 1433 S. Meridian St., offered an array of supplies, including night crawlers, leeches, crawdads, red worms and minnows. Open around the clock Saturdays and Sundays, the store opened at 5 a.m. weekdays.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Nola Haven of Sacred Heart Central High School was crowned queen of the Greater Southside Inc.’s Strawberry-Art Festival. Her court featured Sherry Runyon, Franklin Central; Priscilla Redman, Beech Grove; Dolores Johnson, Chartrand; Peggy Hunter, Southport; Judy Statzer, Wood; and Connie Goss, Manual. 
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Heritage Cafeteria celebrated its grand opening in the southeast corner of the Ayr-Way Shopping Center, 3700 S. East St. The eatery featured three dining rooms, which could accommodate more than 300 guests. 
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Sacred Heart High was hosting an alumni dance at Lake Shore Country Club, 4301 Carson Ave. The organizing committee was looking for a really big turnout, “and from advance indications,” a spokesman said, “the affair is snowballing into a great reunion.” 
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J.C. Brill Appliances, TV & Stereo in Southern Plaza, 4200 S. East St., was holding its annual tent sale. A 23-inch color TV was advertised for $348 with a trade; a dishwasher cost $99; and a two-door refrigerator with automatic defrost was listed at $238 with a trade.
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Charlie Annee, John Zinkan, Bill Weimer, Joe Lauck, Kenny Hinz, Mike Brinkmann, Jim Augustin and Mark Schmaltz were enjoying a nine-day cruise of the Bahama Islands aboard a luxurious 38-foot yacht, which was skippered by Lauck. 

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
The Harvester Stars had a record of 3-0 and were in first place in the Monday night men’s horseshoe league at Garfield Park; Long Acre led the Tuesday league with a 5-1 record.
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A help wanted ad featured the following openings: janitor, $100 a week; cook with three years’ experience, $2.50 an hour; driver salesman, $80 a week plus commission; receptionist, 2.50 an hour.
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Perry Park Pool, managed by Kevin Sabo, celebrated its grand opening.
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St. Roch Catholic School presented its Highest Achiever Awards to Becky Maier, Jill and Nancy Thompson, Jeff Cunningham, Sheri Powers, Brian Moebs and Santina Schaefer.
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Scorpios Restaurant, which featured authentic Greek cuisine, was opened by Kostas Verbis – a native of Greece – at 3312 S. East St. 

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
Susan Hoereth, a 1995 graduate of Roncalli, was named The Indianapolis Star’s Female Athlete of the Year. She was the fourth Rebel chosen in a row for the honor. Previous winners were Marni Kirkhoff, 1984; Susie Kuntz, 1983; and Suzanne Scheele, 1982. Hoereth played three sports and was “all-everything” in volleyball. She was also a standout basketball and softball player.
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Ownership of the Hoosier Dome was transferred from the Capital Improvement Board to the Marion Country Convention and Recreation Facilities Authority to save taxpayers about $14.7 million through a new financing plan. (FYI: Although the dome was demolished in 2008, the city still owes roughly $43 million on it, more than half its original cost.)  
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Some 200 volunteers were busy preparing for the Southport Masonic Lodge’s annual fish fry. Twenty deep fryers would be employed to supply a steady stream of fried fish for thousands of hungry guests.
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The local chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa sorority initiated its newest members: Julie Shreeve, Kim Johnson, Jodie Bales, Mary Lou Morrison, Shirley Duncan, Diane Hall, Lenora Key and Janice Kosten.
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The Marion County prosecutor’s office was granting amnesty for five days to more than 3,200 men with warrants for delinquent child support. The condition for participation was that fathers had to enter into cooperative payment agreements.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Midsummer Fest, Indiana’s largest one-day festival of contemporary music and culinary delights, was celebrating its 20th anniversary by featuring 17 bands on Monument Circle for $5. Performers included headliner The Why Store, Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio, Cathy Morris and Collage, Ricky & The Rowdies, Frank Glover and Tim Brickley & The Bleeding Hearts.
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Paul Downey, Troy Schlenz, Jonathan Eldridge, Mike Sheets and David Locke, all recent high school graduates, received $1,000 scholarships from Dan and Rhonda Hall, who owned Church Bros. Collision Repair. 
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Phyllis Christy was re-elected president of the White River Sound Sweet Adelines. Other officers were Sondra Lipscomb, Joann Eroen, Rosemary Laycock and Nancy Lowery.
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Tobacco Road, 2043 Shelby St., guaranteed the lowest prices on cigarettes in the city, but those prices weren’t listed in the store’s ad. 
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Ten Years Ago This Week – 2005
The archives from 2005 are missing.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
Indiana Central Little League was celebrating its grand opening with a parade, in which all 22 team sponsors had entered floats.
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Troy Oil Co., 820 E. Troy Ave., observed its 25th year in business. 
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“Playing in the street is one of the greatest causes of death and injury to children under 14 years of age,” reported Richard T. James, manager of the Hoosier Motor Club. 
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Carol Ann Esselborn, a first-grader at St. Mark Catholic School and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Esselborn, announced the “Breakfast With Chuckles” program on Channel 8.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Dick the Bruiser, Wilbur Snyder and Nicolai Volkoff were headlining a wrestling card at the Southside Armory. 
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Two A’s on a report card were good for a free hamburger at McDonald’s.
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A case of Bud, Bud Light or Miller cost $7.89 at Dinner Bell Markets, 2824 Shelby St., where cheapskates could buy Blatz, Red White & Blue or Wiedemann’s for $5.39 a case.
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Steve Harnedy and John Sturm, both of whom gained notoriety for being members of the Southport Class of 1965 that cut down a tree in the school’s parking lot, apparently felt remorse as they joined Principal Lloyd Bodie in planting a replacement tree.
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HalFran Hardware, 5507 S. Meridian St., celebrated its grand opening. The store’s name came from the owners’ names: Harold and Francis Henneke.
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Queen candidates for Greater Southside Inc.’s eighth annual Strawberry-Art Festival were Jean Reuter from Manual High School, Nola Havens, Sacred Heart; Peggy Hunter, Southport; Priscilla Redman, Beech Grove; and Sherry Runyon, Franklin Central.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
A four-function pocket calculator was on sale for $23.95. 
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Indiana Central University President Eugene Sease was re-elected head of the advisory board at St. Francis Hospital. Also elected were Elton Geshwiler, Caroll Blanchar, Linton Atkinson, Marvin Cave and C.R. Wilsey.
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Gee Drugs, 2841 Shelby St., was holding its annual summer sale. Specials included 16 ounces of rubbing alcohol for 45 cents; 8 ounces of antiperspirant, 99 cents; 100 aspirin, 59 cents; and a 13-ounce can of hair spray, 74 cents.
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The Murat Shrine Band was performing at the Greater Southside Inc.’s annual Strawberry-Art Festival.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
Tom Hathaway, a legend at Southport High School for his success with the boys and girls cross-country programs, was retiring from the coaching ranks after leading 15 teams to the state finals, four of which were crowned champions. 
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Eric Pressler, Mike Tender, Tony Winkler and Eric Hunt, all Cub Scouts from St. Jude Grade School, received Parvuli Dei Awards from the Catholic Youth Organization for their knowledge of religion.
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Southport High was facing Benton Central in semistate action in the state baseball tournament.
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Free paint for home improvements was available at Concord Community Center, 1310 S. Meridian St.
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Dirk Clark and Tammy Cox from Manual won Dr. Kenny Scholarship and Sportsmen Awards from the Southside Exchange Club. Clark, who was headed to Ball State, rushed for 2,070 yards as a senior and had a 2.7 grade point average. Cox, bound for Indiana University, was a member of the National Honor Society and starred in basketball and softball.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Spotlight editor Jerry Cosby and yours truly took a breathtaking ride in the MedLife Snoopy Two blimp. We flew all over Indianapolis and my parents’ house, where we spotted my mom, Margie, frantically waving an orange scarf at us 1,000 feet below.
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Two of the four peregrine falcons that hatched seven weeks ago atop Market Tower near Monument Circle took their maiden flights. One of the birds didn’t fare so well and crashed on the ground. She was returned to her nest and enjoyed more success the second time around.
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Erik L. Spencer was installed as associate pastor of Greenwood Presbyterian Church. Spencer had previously served as the church’s seminary assistant and lay minister. He and his wife, Judy, had one son. 
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Perry Meridian High School honored its outstanding athletes. A special tribute was paid to Andrea Gruner, Doug Brown and Kelly Keeney, all of whom were named Academic All-State in track. Also recognized were Josh Sabik, wrestling; Deon Pendergrass, football and track; Katie Douglas, basketball; Whitney Tinley, cross country; Lourdes Transinsin, swimming; Gavin Grass, tennis; Holly McKenzie, soccer; Ryan Baker, soccer; Erin Covert, volleyball; Erika Quebe, golf and tennis; Jonathan Meyer, cross country; Steve Wise, basketball; Laura Freeman, gymnastics; Eric Meyer, swimming; Mark Buis, baseball; Brandi Redden, softball; Andrea Gruner, track; and Sam Covitz, golf.
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Donna Ditsworth, Kathy Hoke, Anne Allen and Eleanor Sowder were recognized for their volunteer work with the Glenns Valley Service Unit of Girls Scouts.

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

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
Kenneth Christy, a member of Boy Scout Troop 96 and the 13-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Christy, received one of Scouting’s highest honors, The God and Country Award, for exceptional service to mankind.
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Featuring young dancers and ballerinas, the revue staged by Charisse’s Studio included Rita Wilken, Marilyn Breedlove, Linda Rogers, Sherryl Carlson, Kathy and Becki Harris, Carlene Dietz, Karen Thompson, Jan McDaniel, Carol Kramer, Emilou Brier, Penny Browning, Judy Harris and Kathleen Murphy. 
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All youths between 9 and 18 years old who donated a bag of used clothing to Goodwill Industries received a free ticket to an Indianapolis Indians game. 
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Men’s white T-shirts were 33 cents at Danner’s in Fountain Square, where ladies white, pink or blue panties were 37 cents. Grocery specials included a half-gallon of ice cream for 69 cents and a dozen eggs for 39 cents.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Bobbie Vann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Vann, was installed as worthy advisor of the Southport Assembly, Order of Rainbow for Girls. Other officers were Kathy Anderson, worthy associate advisor; Reba Steven, charity; Donna Peters, hope; and Jenny Graham, faith. 
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The Marion County Sheriff’s Department was looking to hire about 30 deputies; the starting pay was $5,200 annually.
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A spacious five-room apartment at 1315 Spann St. rented for $15 a week.
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Italian sandals, imported directly from Italy and featuring that breezy-cool fashion for summer, cost $2.99 at Shoe World in Fountain Square, where men’s and boys canvas oxfords and loafers were $2.69 a pair.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
In celebration of Sacred Heart Parish’s centennial celebration, the Rev. Brian Kirn had compiled a history of the church, its building projects and the people who had served there. The friary housed the first church and a grade school that opened in 1876. The twin-steepled worship center was completed in 1891. 
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The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra was transforming a section of the Greenwood Shopping Center into a Mississippi levee for its production of a cabaret concert that would focus on the life of Huckleberry Finn.
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Strawberry shortcake topped with ice cream was served for 50 cents at the Strawberry-Art Festival at 1941 E. Hanna Ave. And the cost included a raffle ticket for some great prizes.
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The Southport Lions Club celebrated its 30th anniversary and used the occasion to announce that it had contributed more than $100,000 to charitable projects since its founding.
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Lynn Hurrle and Rhonda Newport, dance students of Karolyn Sowden, were starring in “Charlie Brown and His Dancing Dictionary” at Keystone Middle School.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
The Goodyear blimp and its 7,560 flashing lights provided quite a light show for Greenwood residents. In addition to messages, the lights portrayed Disney characters, race cars and kaleidoscopic designs.
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Ground was broken on a three-room addition at Calvary Lutheran School, 6111 Shelby St. Participating in the ceremony were Pastor Robert E. Meier, Assistant Pastor Arthur Wehrmeister, Executive Director Donald Rothkopf and Principal William Wittlief.
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Amy Corsaro, Ralph Roey III, Ted Pielemeir, Grace Yen and James Bushur were honored as valedictorians at Roncalli, Manual, Baptist, Perry Meridian and Southport, respectively.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1995
The grand prize in Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish’s raffle was a new Pontiac.
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Richard Hilfiker, a 38-year educator, retired from Southport High. He had spent the past 20 years as chairman of the Instructional Media Center.
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Ray and Margaret Buening, who owned the American Speedy Printing Center franchise at 1975 E. Stop 11 Road, received the parent company’s Sales Growth Award for 1994. 
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The Rev. William E. Knack was retiring as senior pastor of St. John’s United Church of Christ after 20 years of service. He had performed 517 weddings, 371 baptisms, 372 funerals and confirmed 168 children. 
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Summer concerts and horse and buggy rides were returning to Garfield Park, whose roads, parking areas, amphitheater and pagoda were being renovated.

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