Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
The $400,000 renovation project at the Garfield Park Conservatory was nearing completion. Improvements included three additions, huge picture windows, two new boilers and storage facilities. Lord & Burnam, an international company known for designing and building conservatories, commented, “This is without a doubt one of the finest structures of its type in the world.” In addition, 78 outdated lights throughout the park were going to be modernized.
* * *
Betty Jean Reed, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Reed, won an Indiana Build Your Future Scholarship. She planned to study religion and journalism at Franklin College.
* * *
The Olympia Club, 3900 S. Emerson Ave., dedicated its three swimming pools and bathhouse. The facility featured an Olympic-size pool, a 20-by-30 one and a splash area for toddlers.
* * *
Leo Bauman, who owned Crossroads Tavern, corner of Bluff Road and Raymond Street, boasted that he prepared turtle just the way his customers liked it.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Troy Avenue between Madison and Boyd avenues was going to be closed for up to 90 days for a reconstruction project. Editor George Cafouros said the intersection of Troy and Madison was one of the busiest on the Southside. “It has long suffered from an overabundance of stupidity in various levels of government. The intersection needs a harmonious application of the best brainpower of city and state traffic experts.” 
* * *
The new Southside Boys Club, 1941 E. Hanna Ave., was expected to open in about seven weeks. 
* * *
The outdoor display of colorful flowers and plants at Buescher’s Florists, 503 E. Southern Ave., was described as breathtaking. Owner Art Buescher attributed the brilliance to adding cow manure and German peat moss to the soil at the end of the growing season.
* * *
The Deep Rock Association Service Station, 4851 Madison Ave., celebrated its anniversary by giving away six-packs of Pepsi to customers who purchased eight or more gallons of gas.
* * *
Specials at Safeway Quality Foods, 1201 Prospect St., included ground beef for 39 cents a pound; spare ribs, 59 cents a pound; 10 rolls of toilet paper, 69 cents; 10 pounds of potatoes, 69 cents; and six grapefruits, 59 cents.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
Don Ketterman, president of the Southside Exchange Club, announced that the organization was holding a rummage sale through the end of August at a storefront in Fountain Square. He was pictured with members S.M. LaRosa and Don Ketterman.
* * *
Lily Hilgemeier celebrated her 105th birthday with family members and her brother, Harry Ruth, who was only 92.
* * *
Johnnie Biggers, a supervisor at Davidson Industries, was honored for saving the life of a fellow employee. Perry Township firefighters Richard Nelis, Mark Schulz, David Ansel and Larry Boyce presented him with a plaque and a $25 savings bond.  
* * *
Steven D. Fishburn, a sales representative for Franklin Life Insurance, was named one of the company’s top producers.
* * *
Elaine Bultman, Kim Owen, Jenny Dale and Lyle Helvie were pictured promoting vacation Bible school at First Presbyterian Church of Southport.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
Perry Meridian High School band members Ann Billiard, Pam Harding, Chris Wessel and Dawn Whitaker were part of an 80-piece band touring Canada with the North American Musical Envoys. 

Southport High students Wendy Mize, Donna McGurer, co-editors of the school’s yearbook, Michele Kurtz, editor in chief of the newspaper, and Melissa Brown attended a journalism workshop at Indiana University.   
* * *
The Indianapolis Taxpayers Association was holding a “tea party” at Garfield Park. Spearheaded by fireman Carl Moldtham, the event was designed to bring attention to the plight of the average taxpayer.
* * *
Dawn Wallace, the 4-year-old daughter of John and Gerry Janssen, was a contestant in the Little Dream pageant. 
* * *
Meridian Place Cleaners & Laundry, 450 S. State Road 135, Greenwood, celebrated its grand opening by giving away a 19-inch color TV. Customers were treated to free Pepsi, balloons, popcorn and door prizes. 

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Catherine McClain was pictured with her five-generation family: daughter Donna Cothron, granddaughter Linda Ventura, great-granddaughter Amy Ventura and great-great-grandson Blake Ventura.
* * *
 Betsy’s Wallpaper Outlet, near the 1600 block of Shelby Street, advertised blowout prices and the best selection in the state.
* * *
The Edgewood Little League Blue All-Stars defeated a Carmel squad to win the AAU 10-and-under state championship and the right to compete in the national tournament in Kansas City. Team members were Acaiah Howard, Chace Holmes, Stephen Kempf, Kyle Stephenson, Kyle Exline, Dustin Patterson, Korry Sherrow, Keith Hatfield, Shaun Williams, Aaron Sylvester, Nathan Kimbro, Jason Neu, manager Dan Hatfield and coaches Pat Patterson and Mark Neu.
* * *
Most products at the Colonial Bakery Store, 4051 Carson Ave., were marked down 50 percent every Wednesday.   

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

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
The following quip was published: “Man: ‘My wife says if I die she will remain a widow.’ “Second man: ‘Evidently she thinks there’s not another man like you.’ “First man: ‘No, she’s afraid there is.’ ”
* * *
A large Storkline buggy was priced to sell at $12; Mason fruit jars were 25 cents a dozen, and an electric ice-cream maker was $7.
* * *
Wolf’s Sportswear, 1107 Shelby St., was holding a closeout sale on its summer merchandise. Short pants had been marked down from $4.98 to $2.79; halters had been marked down by 50 percent; and prices on sleepwear had been cut by 33 percent.
* * *
Oakland, Calif., strong man Jack Lalanne was handcuffed when he swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. He covered the 2 miles in 56 minutes.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Editor George Cafouros wrote a scathing editorial in the previous week’s paper that referred to teenagers as lazy, poor spellers and dressers and in general ill-mannered. He closed his tirade by stating he didn’t have to worry about getting mail from teens because they were too lethargic to write. Much to his surprise, they did respond ... and they blasted him. 
* * *
A 1964 Chevelle station wagon was advertised for $2,095; a ’64 Chevrolet Impala was listed for $2,195; and a ’64 Ford Galaxie was priced at $1,995. 
* * *
All-star players from Southport Little League were Steve Montel, Mike Wheatley, Mark Frazier, Gregg Benner, Jeff Smith, Steve Bryan, Danny Moore, Jack Juday, Carl Behnke, Mike Whitaker, Dave Lodd, Jeff Cave, Rusty Bennett, Larry Baker, Joe Moore, Bill Roberts, Kenny Weston, Dave Strietelmeier, manager Don Strietelmeier and coach Bob Proach.
* * *
The southbound lanes of Madison Avenue that went under the railroad track just south of McCarty Street were finally opened. The corridor had been closed so it could be lowered 2 1/2 feet because so many trucks had been getting stuck and causing considerable damage to the low bridge.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
Southern Plaza merchants were gearing up for their biggest event of the year – their annual Mardi Gras. In addition to a new Mercury Bobcat being given away, there were sidewalk sales, drawings for prizes, strolling clowns, carnival rides and a fireworks show. 
* * *
Minnie Nance, Leota Jolly, Mike Muphy, Ester Bolser and Beth Rutherford, all members of Rosedale Hills United Methodist Church on South Keystone Avenue were praised by Pastor Walther Meacham for their efforts in collecting 5,800 books of S&H Green Trading Stamps, enough to purchase four kidney machines.
* * *
A tri-level home in Johnson County with a lake view was listed for $58,500; a 10-room home in Meridian Woods with an elevated balcony was advertised for under $60,000, and a three-bedroom ranch in Beech Grove was listed for $19,900.
* * *
Steve Eason, a seventh-grader at Meridian Middle School, won his second tennis tournament of the summer by winning the 12-year-old division in Lafayette Junior Open.
* * *
The Garfield Little League Pirates completed their season with a 12-0 record to win the Senior Division title. Team members were Douglas Woodruff, Steve Crook, Greg Bell, George Short, Junior Parsley, Mike Richmond, Bob Bohannon, Tony Casada, Richard Wortman, Danny Armbruster, manager Wilson Crook and coach Bob Owens.
* * *
Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
The Rev. William F. Morley, who had served as pastor of St. Jude Church for 25 years, died. He had suffered a light heart attack and appeared to be recovering when stricken with a fatal stroke.   
* * *
Diana H. Wilson, a 12-year teacher-coach in Perry Township Schools, joined the real estate sales staff at Century 21 Ruch-Tuttle.
* * *
Members of the Indiana Pacers visited Concord Community Center, 1310 S Meridian St., where they worked to improve the basketball skills of about 80 youngsters. 
* * *
Bill Maschmeyer, a graduate of Perry Meridian and Indiana and Purdue universities, opened a law practice at 3045 S. Meridian St.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Scouting was alive and well on the Southside, especially in Southport Park, where members of Pathfinder Troop 120 were constructing park benches, picnic tables and a playground. The Scouts – Daniel Miller, Tony Brockelman, Alex Craig, Alan Langreck and Michael Zinser  – were receiving guidance from Daniel Miller, David Brockelman and Duane Langreck.  
* * *
A picture of Jamie Garvey, daughter of Ralph and Cathy Garvey, depicted the cute 11-year-old displaying her pet lizard at the Perry Township 4-H Fair at Southport High School.  
* * *
Dawn Toon, a member of the Woodman Toastmasters Club, received a CTM designation from Toastmasters International. The award represented the first level of achievement that new members could achieve.
* * *
Adrian Orchards, 500 W. Epler Ave., was teeming with fresh fruit and vegetables, including peaches, nectarines and sweet corn. 
* * * 
Yours truly reported on the high-flying action at the Budweiser Water Ski Tour at the Precedent on the Northside. More than 100 skiers from nine countries competed for a share of the $500,000 purse.

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

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
St. Mark Grade School’s cadet baseball team received a trophy for winning the Catholic Youth Organization’s tournament. Dave Cleary, Jim Hagerty, Don Kriner and Frank Linder accepted the award on behalf of the squad, whose other members were attending Boy Scout camp.
* * *
Bishop Michael J. Ready of the Archdiocese of Columbus attributed the declining level of morals to the indecency being flaunted in movies and magazines. 
* * *
The Won-Ten Restaurant & Bar, 110 S. Pennsylvania St., served a rib-eye steak and onion rings for $1.25 and a tenderloin, fries and slaw for 75 cents.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
A dozen yeast donuts and a 9-inch lemon chiffon cake cost 65 and 85 cents, respectively, at the Heritage Bake Shoppe in the Ayr-Way Shopping Center, 3700 S. East St.
* * *
Groundbreaking ceremonies for Sharp Ford’s new dealership at 3931 S. East St. were held. On hand for the event were Harvey Hudson, Charles Hart, Neal Quist, Homer L. Archer, Harry E. Meyers, R.F. Conti and Earl Ellis. The company’s relocation from 443 Virginia Ave. was scheduled for the end of November.
* * *
Susan D. Huppert, Mary P. Bogeman, Paul D. Heath and Richard E. Powell spent two days at a freshman orientation program at Ball State, where they toured the campus and registered for fall classes. 
* * *
Jack & Mack’s Men’s Wear in Southern Plaza was holding its annual July clearance sale. “Everything has been greatly reduced during this storewide sale,” said Walter Stone, a manager, who added that straw hats had been marked down 50 percent.
* * *
A bucket of fried chicken, a slew of fries and a pint of slaw cost $2.97 at Chicken Delight, 2863 Carson Ave.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
Harolyn J. Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Brown, was a finalist in the Miss Indiana National Teenager Pageant. 
* * *
St. Roch was the only Southside Catholic grade school that offered a kindergarten program.
* * *
Dr. Clarence A. Dean, a graduate of Indiana University School of Dentistry, opened a family dental center at 435 E. Hanna Ave. .
* * *
Editor George Cafouros reported in his “Nutcraker” column that someone had made off with a family’s 4-foot-tall cactus. The 2-inch needles alone should have frightened off the thief, not to mention the massive weight of the potted plant, Cafouros wrote. 
* * *
Lisa Kriner, the baton-twirling daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kriner and a seventh-grader at St. Barnabas School, was crowned Miss Majorette of Marion County in the 10- and 11-year-old age group.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
Pictured in his bathing suit and with a toddler in his arms, Mayor William Hudnut and other children were standing under the refreshing spray of a fire hose in a program known as Operation Cool Down. The initiative helped children and adults beat the heat by opening fire hydrants in designated parks during heat waves.   
* * *
Perry Meridian junior Gregory A. Click was named master councilor of Southport chapter of DeMolay. Other officers were Bill Betts, Brian Hoffmeyer and Steve Benson, whose father, Steve Benson Sr., would serve as chapter dad. 
* * *
A resolution before the City-County Council would mandate law enforcement agencies to beef up patrols along “The Strip” on South East Street and Madison Avenue, where thousands of teenagers congregated on the weekends.   
* * *
Meridian Middle School’s eighth-grade cheerleaders won the top award at DePauw University’s cheer camp. The squad featured Beth Garrison, Michelle Sarver, Jennifer Horton, Tonya Wood, Jill Burgett and Jennifer Rice.
* * *
G.C. Murphy’s specials of the week included a GI Joe radio headset for $8; a three-speed, 20-inch fan, $19; 60-inch pools, $6; a patio table, $2; and children’s plastic sand pails, two for $1. 

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Zebra muscles, aquatic pests first discovered in Indiana’s waters in 1991, had spread to two more of the state’s northern lakes. Possessing prolific reproductive capabilities, the muscles collected in large numbers on water intake systems and eventually clogged them. 
* * * 
Dr. Micheal Cerefin, a former pitcher for the Houston Astros’ organization, opened Cerefin Family Chiropractic at 5703 S. U.S. 31. He was introduced to the profession after injuring his shoulder.
* * *
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Associated Materials was donating the windows for 11 homes to be constructed by Habitat for Humanity in the fall. Barb Huddleston served as CEO of the building materials supplier, Jeff Cardwell as president.   
* * *
The Alumni Association of Manual produced a documentary to celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary. “Redskin Pride” focused on the school’s rich history and its graduates.
* * *
The 9- and 10-year-old all-stars at Indiana Central Little League won the District 7 softball tournament. Team members were Nichol Faulkner, Taryn Petro, Autumn Warren, Jennifer Young, Kristi McCormick, Erika Alexander, Ashley Miller, Tia Harden, Monica Shaw, Ashley Flake, Amanda Key, Miranda Winters, manager Jeff Griffin and coach Mike Miller. 

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

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
Editor George Cafouros was gone fishin’.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Pat Cole, Jetta Deering and Carol Baas were inducted into Zeta Eta chapter of Psi Iota Xi. 
* * *
The Rev. Donald Thayer joined the staff at St. John’s United Church of Christ as associate pastor. 
* * *
The Perry Township Board of Education elected its officers: W. Lincoln Christie, president; Charles E. Orme, vice president; Richard Thomas, secretary; and C. Edgar Kilby, treasurer.
* * *
In addition to sandwiches, side orders, cold drinks and shrimp sandwiches, Monte’s Pizza in Southport sold cigarettes for 30 cents a pack.
* * *
Women’s casual shoes and sandals were $1.11 a pair at Shoe World on Morris Street and Virginia Avenue. 

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
Manual High School’s Vicky Swank was named Outstanding Girl at Hoosier Girls State, which was an American Legion program that promoted the involvement of teens in mock government situations. 
* * *
Three bunches of green onions cost 39 cents at Rucker’s Greenhouses, 5336 Bluff Road, where cucumbers, green beans, brocolli and cabbage were also available.
* * *
Perry Township Democratic Club members Catherine Van Arsdale, Forest Handlon Jr., Mary Ann Seyfried and Ray Strack were making plans for the organization’s annual picnic at German Park.
* * *
Featuring a complete line of accessories for the outdoorsman, Don’s Sport Shop opened at 2304 E. County Line Road. Night manager Pete Osborne was pictured as he showed a .44 Magnum – the same type of gun used by Clint Eastwood in “Dirty Harry,” to Mark Tate and Scott Lamb.
* * *
As a way to introduce motorists to his improved car wash at 2224 E. County Line Road, George Kopetsky lowered his price from $3 to $1.50 for four days.
* * *
Carol Reed, Robert Fogleman and Gary Dupre, all of whom were diabetic teenagers, were on a camping trip in northern Wisconsin. The excursion was sponsored by the Indiana Diabetes Association. 

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
City-County Councillor Beulah Coughenour and Deputy Mayor Joseph Slash participated in a White House briefing and met with President Ronald Reagan.  
* * *
David Abeshaus and Scharmaine Simpson were crowned king and queen of the tiny tot contest at Concord Community Center. Other contestants were Tom East, Shayana Hatsits, Ashley Lewis and Mendy Fitzwater. The next competition for the newly crowned royalty was the citywide contest at Garfield Park. 
* * *
Lisa Hanger and Deanna “Dee Dee” Humbles played softball for Hanover College, where the former led the team in batting with a .285 average.   
* * *
Speth Bakery, 3125 E. Thompson Road, specialized in tiered wedding cakes; a serving cost between 50 and 60 cents.
* * *
Featuring deluxe tanning beds with built-in cassette players and high-speed facial tanners, All Seasons Tanning Center celebrated its grand opening at 7745 S. Meridian St. 
* * *
Lori Raymann and Jerry Norman were cast in the Southside Summer Theatre’s production of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” which would be staged at Southport High School.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Skydiving added a thrill in the life of 74-year-old Bill Mathews, who had been grounded for five years after enduring open-heart surgery. “I tried bungee jumping, but it was nothing compared to sky diving,” he said.  
* * *
Manual High School’s Teacher of the Year was Connie Everline, who was a finalist for the same honor at Indianapolis Public Schools.  
* * *
Christina Marts of Greenwood and Heather Walters of Beech Grove received Gold Awards from Girl Scouts – the highest honor attainable in the organization – after they each earned four interest project patches.
* * *
Legendary basketball coach John Wooden, USA Today founder Allen H. Neuharth and Eli Lilly and Co. President Randall Tobias were scheduled to address the Economic Club of Indianapolis during its future programs. 
* * * 
Anna Matthews, Randy Hunter and David Tilley received scholarships from the Sertoma Club of Greenwood.
* * *
Perry Township Aquatics named Amanda Parker as its Diver of the Week.   
* * *
Leo Klemm replaced Chuck Weisenbach as Roncalli’s assistant principal and boys varsity basketball coach. Weisenbach had been promoted to principal.

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