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October 29th, 2014

10/29/2014

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1954
The Madison Avenue Businessmen’s Association hosted what it called the city’s biggest and best Halloween party. Festivities featured the crowning of Miss Madison Avenue, a parade, a talent show, trick horseback riders and a costume contest.
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Electric steam and dry irons – $9.99 each – were a hot item at Circle Furniture Co., 938 Virginia Ave.
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Sirloin steak cost 37 cents a pound.
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Hermina Ritter and Mrs. Authur Bech hosted a get-together and threw a “surprise handkerchief party.”
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Southport High named Carl Braden as its basketball and golf coach. A member of the Fort Wayne South Side state championship basketball team in 1938, he played collegiately for Tony Hinkle at Butler before coaching at Boone County, Center Grove and Warren Central high schools.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1964
Popular Halloween costumes included Casper the Friendly Ghost and all of his Ghostland characters.
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According to the federal government, families spent 19 percent of their after-tax income on food.
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Three boxes of Cracker Jack cost 25 cents.
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The University of Minnesota’s 170-member marching band performed during halftime of the Manual-Wood football game. The band was known for its unique sound and precision marching routines.
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Here’s a headline that you wouldn’t see today: “Orphan home will be gay Friday night.”
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Queen candidates for Sacred Heart Central High School’s homecoming dance were Rita Caito, Sandy Fitzpatrick, Linda Moran, Linda Thomas, Janet Heinselman and Mary Massing.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1974
The Rev. Paul N. West, who had spent the past 10 years doing missionary work in Malaysia, spoke at Rosedale Hills United Methodist Church, 4450 S. Keystone Ave.
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A one-bedroom half-double with a basement and a garage at 1942 E. Epler Ave. rented for $115 a month.
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Army Pvt. Sharon O’Brien, daughter of Una Birdeen O’Brien, graduated from the finance specialist course at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis.
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Top performers in the candy sale sponsored by Indianapolis Public School 34’s PTA were Michael Tompkins and Billy Snead, both of whom won televisions.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1984
Eli Lilly and Co. dedicated its new $65 million corporate center and research facilities in Downtown Indianapolis. The site featured 30 buildings over a 15-block area.
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The city hoped to discourage the burning of leaves by picking up bagged leaves.
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The Merry Makers from Perry Township Senior Services sang and danced for residents of the Garfield Park Health Center. The performers were Lucille Springer, Katherine Hoschouer, Sarah Allen, Fern Thomas, Artie Carpenter, Janet Wilham, Rosemino Weaver, Kaye Romano and Mae Root.
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Former Roncalli football players playing for Indiana Central University were John Kennedy, Pete Swartz, Andy Mappes, Dan Annee, Jim House, Mike Mappes, Duane Lutgring, Steve Wilson and Kenny Gillum.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1994
An adorable picture of Taylor Renae Schiefelbein, who was celebrating her first birthday, was published. She was the daughter of Greg and Renea Schiefelbein.
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The National Institute for Healthcare Research reported that American dads spent about twice as much time with their sons as did their Japanese counterparts.
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The annual Oldtimers Kickball Tournament was held at St. Jude School, where the Frogs emerged victorious for the fifth time in the past six years. The team featured Michele Shaw, Linda Stahl, Dana Hanson, Colleen Devore, Leslie Challis, Nancy Prather, Erin Lind, Cathy Buergler, Barb Axom, Alyson Gurganus, Fran Moran, Theresa Wells-Ditton, Brenda Christ and Janie Killion.
Finishing second was Wirty’s Wild Women, which was represented by Pam Loham, Elaine Shaw, Cathy Barnes, Jodi Eagan, Claire Bowser, Terri Stumpf, Julie Stumpf, Joan Cahill, Cathy Huser, Susie Corsaro, Joanna Sahm, Madonna Kidwell, Patty Abrams, Melanie Sahm and Sandy Mennel.

Ten Years Ago This Week – 2004
Indiana Department of Transportation officials were surging straight forward with their plans to construct an extension of I-69 from the Southside to Evansville despite an outlash from the public.
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Franklin Central High School English educator Lisa Laker received a Project E Teacher Award for engaging her students through the use of innovative techniques.
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Katie Lynn Gray, daughter of Anita Gary, and Timothy Early Stivers, son of Bill and Linda Stivers, were married at the Murat Temple. Amy Gray served as the maid of honor, Bill Stivers as best man. The newlyweds honeymooned at Walt Disney World.
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Newly elected officials of the Perry Township Education Foundation were Jim Head, president; Carol J. Sewell, vice president; Jerry McAfee, secretary; and Tom Sponsel, treasurer.
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Results from a poll conducted by the National Confectioners Association revealed that trick-or-treaters didn’t like to receive salty goodies or fruit. The survey also found that 90 percent of parents admitted to sneaking into their children’s candy bags.
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Dr. Marnie J. Widdifield opened a family practice at 549 E. County Line Road.

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October 22nd, 2014

10/22/2014

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Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1954
Southport High School’s Nancy Brown, Manual’s Patricia McVey, Sacred Heart’s Mary Steffen and Wood’s Retta Parrott were queen candidates for Miss Madison Avenue.
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The Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department was holding its semiannual fish fry. The organizing committee was led by Don Emrich, Kevin Kirch and Frances Resener.
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The Kasper Furniture Co., 860 Virginia Ave., held a huge open house to showcase its new color television, but the set didn’t work. Owners Oscar and Kenny Kasper said they were fit to be tied because the TV had worked earlier in the afternoon.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1964
Richmond Bros., Paul Harris, Ace Hardware, Zale Jewelers and Baker Shoes were opening in Southern Plaza and brought the number of merchants in the center to 39. Serving as managers were John Kirch, Shirley DeLa Cruz, Al Hoppes, Sol Schaffer and Earl Benner, respectively.
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A box of 24 (full-size) brand-name candy bars cost 89 cents.
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A burglar broke into and ransacked Dee and V’s Beauty Salon. “The thief was a little choosey,” reported The Spotlight. “He walked off with all the petty cash and a pair of Dee’s pajamas.”
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Jim Mullen and Tom Carson were two of the McGinty’s Dodge Boys at the recently opened dealership at 3419 S. East St.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1974
Retiring Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief James Turner received a plaque for his two terms of service. The township’s Advisory Board made a habit of recognizing retiring chiefs since they received no salary for the position.
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Editor George Cafouros urged federal authorities to investigate The Indianapolis Star and The Indianapolis News for their alleged corruption in exerting undue influence upon elected and appointed public officials. A host of other allegations were also published in stories that took up more than half the front page.
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The haunted house at 2800 S. East St. charged 50 cents for admission.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1984
Former Roncalli football standout Kenny Gillum played for Indiana Central University and led the Heartland Collegiate Conference in kickoff returns.
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Methodism of the early 19th century was relived when a “circuit rider” arrived on horseback to a service at Rosedale Hills United Methodist Church, 4450 S. Keystone Ave. The rider, the Rev. John Young, chaplain at Indiana Central University, was met and greeted by the congregation, many of whom were clad in clothes befitting of the era.
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Steve Taylor was named Perry Meridian’s varsity baseball coach after having served 11 years as a reserve coach. Taylor, who succeeded James Roach, graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1965 and Marian College in 1969. He and his wife, Janet, lived in West Hill Valley with their 3-year-old daughter, Amy.
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Perry Meridian seniors David Hollinden, Grace Yen and James Yegerlehner were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1994
The winning entry in Adrian Orchards’ great pumpkin contest weighed in at 623 pounds.
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John Bird, 13, who attended Calvary Lutheran School but played football for St. Mark, took first-place honors in the local Punt, Pass & Kick contest to qualify for regional competition. He was the son of Zack and Tammy Bird.
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Lincoln Elementary’s third-, fourth- and fifth-grade cheerleaders were Ashley Donovan, Brandy Norris, Megan Anderson, Lyndsay Grubbs, Brittany McDonald, Kristin Hedges, Kristi Anderson, Ashley Schott, Cassondra and Kandi Flecker, Megan Jerrell, Karen Kjeldsen, Amber Marsh, Sarah Hiser, Diana Searcy, Ashley Armstrong, Erica Frye, Maggie Rasdall, Natalie Allen, Britney Ballard, Jackie Parr, Desiree Skaggs, Heather Cravens and Heather Stiener.
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Former Indianapolis Colts running back Marshall Faulk made a guest appearance at Sharp Ford, 3931 S. East St.

Ten Years Ago This Week – 2004
Fifth-graders at Clinton Young Elementary returned from Camp Allendale in Trafalgar, where they and their chaperones learned how to fish, canoe, identify trees and birds and reduce pollution. A picture depicted the canoeing skills of John Sponsel, Brandan Benefiel, Matt Mangus, Julie Barricklow, Brittany Rivera and James Montgomery.
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The winning entry in Adrian Orchards’ great pumpkin contest tipped the scale at 1,024 pounds.
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Louie, a 5-year-old horse who served on the Indianapolis Police Department’s mounted patrol, died from injuries suffered when hit by a car.
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Southport High School Assistant Principal Thomas Galovic took a whipped cream pie to the face during a pep rally to promote the Cardinals’ homecoming football game.

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October 15th, 2014

10/15/2014

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Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1954
James Stewart and Grace Kelly were starring in “Rear Window” at the Fountain Square Theater. “Monsters of the Ocean Floor” and “Lone Gun” were also showing.
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Advertised by Benner Equipment Co., 124 Union St., as the biggest TV value of the year, a 21-inch black-and-white Westinghouse television was priced at $169.95.
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The A&P grocery store chain was celebrating its 95th anniversary. The store at 1337 Shelby St. was selling pork loin roast for 35 cents a pound, 2 pounds of bananas for 29 cents and porterhouse and T-bone steaks for 99 cents a pound.
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Muriel Ruch Bruns, who was taken ill with polio, had been in an iron lung for two weeks at Robert Long Hospital. Her condition was improving daily, but she couldn’t leave the lung for more than five minutes at a time.
Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1964
This was Burger Chef’s menu: hamburger, 15 cents; double burger, 25 cents; cheeseburger, 20 cents; fish sandwich, 25 cents, fries, 15 cents; soft drinks, 10 and 20 cents; coffee or milk, 10 cents.
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Manual’s homecoming court featured Diane Eickhoff, Phyllis Kottkamp, Nancy Norcross, Lana Richards, Linda Wheeler, Perry Cobbs, Mike Hargraves, Mike Mager, Tom Roberts and Mike McGuire.
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Gov. Matthew E. Welsh cut a ribbon at the I-465 and U.S. 31 interchange to mark the opening of the interstate. The celebration featured 20 antique cars, the Gordon Pipers and Southport’s marching band.
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Manual’s yearbook, “The Ivian,” was awarded the All-American rating by the National Scholastic Press Association for the seventh consecutive year.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1974
Center United Methodist Church, 5445 Bluff Road, was celebrating its 125th anniversary with a special worship service and a pitch-in luncheon.
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Queen candidates and the court for Perry Meridian’s “forthcoming” (the school was new and didn’t have any alumni) were freshman Lisa Haviland, sophomore Christi Heuser, junior Teri Clark and seniors Jane Raker, Janice Whiffing, Lisa Rodgers, Tammy Smith and Heidi Mills.
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Sander’s Cleaners, 3709 Madison Ave., was looking for a mature counter lady to work from 2-7 p.m. weekdays.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1984
Ralph and Marge Smith’s castoroil plant had ballooned to more than 17 feet in height, which was about 10 feet taller than most grew.
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Tara King and Marti Slutz were cast as a housekeeper and a mute, respectively, in Southport High School’s production of the murder-drama “The Spiral Staircase.”
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The Bee Hive, a go-go club at 255 W. Morris St., served a ham or roast beef sandwich, chips and a beer for $1.25.
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Southport’s newspaper, The Journal, and yearbook, the “Anchor,” received first-place awards from the Columbia and National scholastic associations and Quill and Scroll.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1994
Southport’s Lloyd Bodie was named District 7 High School Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals.
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Controversy as to whether Pagoda Drive, the main road in Garfield Park, should remain open or closed to through traffic and whether rest rooms should be added to the historic pagoda were the main issues raised during a hearing on the $6 million renovation project at the park.
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Laughner’s Cafeteria, which was started in 1888, featured an entree, a salad, two vegetables, a roll and a dessert for $5.99.
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The Dads Club at Perry Meridian High had raised more than $175,000 over the past 19 years for school activities. The organization awarded three scholarships annually to students excelling in academics, athletics and music.

Ten Years Ago This Week – 2004
Perry Township Schools Superintendent H. Douglas Williams received an award from the Mid-American Division of Energy Education for the district’s efforts in saving more than $9 million in energy costs over the past eight years.
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Kathryn Bogard, owner of Allusions Aveda Concept Salon, 516 N. Madison Ave., Greenwood, was holding a salon-athon for autism.
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McCarrel Jewelery, a family-owned business for more than 70 years at 2610 Madison Ave., was closing after the first of the year. Husband-and-wife owners Eric and Roselyn Wild said competition from chain stores and the deterioration of other businesses along that stretch of Madison prompted their decision.
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Roncalli’s Scott Lutgring rushed for 269 yards on 44 carries and caught two passes for 69 yards in the Rebels’ 34-31 overtime loss to Mooresville. Roncalli fell to 6-2, while the Pioneers remained undefeated at 8-0.
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Perry Meridian seniors Kristen Casey, Joel Donnell, Andrea Summers and Ryan Wright were recognized for their outstanding scores on the PSAT. Southport senior Olivia Knight was also honored.

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October 08th, 2014

10/8/2014

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Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1954
The Cole Bros. Air Circus promised thrilling aerial acts at its inaugural air show at Stout Field. The admission charge was $1, with proceeds benefiting the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.
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Dr. Ray Wurtz was named the richest, most eligible bachelor on the Southside.
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People interested in seeing a television show broadcast in color could stop by the Kasper Furniture Co., 860 Virginia Ave., to watch Westinghouse’s “Best of Broadway.” “We feel that there is a lot of interest in color television even though there is a scarcity of color programs on the air at this time,” said Kenny Kasper.
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The Southside Market on New Jersey Street featured 22 vendors selling fresh produce.
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The widening of Madison Avenue to six lanes in northern Perry Township and southern Center Township resulted in the demolition of many buildings. However, the Key West Shrimp House, which was looking for a new location, reported that it was business as usual.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1964
An RCA transistor pocket radio cost $8.88.
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McDonald’s, the leading purveyor of french fries in the United States, claimed that it was President Thomas Jefferson who brought the concept of fried potato slices from France to America. The restaurant chain also asserted that 70 percent of U.S. residents ate fries with their hamburgers.
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Five model apartments and a sales office opened at the $3 million Mount Vernon South complex at U.S. 31 and Thompson Road. A one-bedroom apartment could be purchased for $59 a month.
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Manual senior James Hancock was a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1974
J. Bernard Smith was installed as president of the Southside Kiwanis Club. Other new officers were Clyde D. Fields, vice president; Mutt Bonesteel, secretary; and Theodore J. Carr, treasurer.
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Little Joe’s Nursery, 501 E. Edgewood Ave., was holding a $10 sale on 15-foot silver maple trees and spreading yews and 4-foot white pines and arbor vitae.
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Winter must have arrived early as an advertisement for Parsley’s Heating & Cooling read, “If your present heating system can’t cut it on these cold winter days, think about installing a modern, efficient Heil system.”
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John K. and Helen O’Neill of 7129 S. East St. harvested a 26-pound head of cabbage from their garden. The monster measured 12 inches in diameter, and its outside leaves were 33 inches wide.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1984
Hunger Inc. celebrated its first anniversary of helping critically hungry people in Perry Township. The pantry, which had aided more than 200 needy families in its first year, was housed in the former Orme Carpets building at Epler Avenue and old Meridian Street.
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The Indiana Council of English Teachers named Manual High School English educator Marilyn Dever as its Hoosier Teacher of the Year.
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October was declared as Toastmasters Month in Greenwood by Mayor Jeanette Surina.
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Tim Gough of Greenwood won a new Thunderbird in the J.C. Penny/Sharp Ford giveaway, which was held in conjunction with the U.S. Clay Court Championships. He was pictured accepting his keys from Sharp Ford President Mike Shore and Greenwood J.C. Penny Manager Roger Loney.
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Silk and Lace, advertised as Indianapolis’ newest exotic club and a truly classy place with beautiful dancers, featured 25 cent beer night on Wednesdays.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1994
Allie “Grandma” Ettenburn was pictured with her five-generation family: daughter Wava Perry, grandaughter Donna Urquhart, great-grandson Christopher Urquhart and great-great-grandaughter Breyanna Urquhart.
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The Thirty-third Degree, the highest honor bestowed in Scottish Free Freemasonry, was conferred upon local residents John W. Baugh, Fred F. Buckingham, Clyde E. Fields, Howard R. Johnson, Lawrence E. Shepherd and Phillip C. Thrasher at the Cleveland Convention Center Music Hall. The degrees were awarded for outstanding service to the organization or for significant contributions to mankind.
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The Little Red Door Cancer Agency and St. Vincent Hospital teamed to provide free mammography screenings to women who could not afford them. The Little Red Door was also offering free prostate cancer screenings.
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Police suspected that a cigarette caused the fire in the basement of Cravens Residence Hall for women at the University of Indianapolis. A few walls were tarnished by the smoke, but the building suffered no structural damage.

Ten Years Ago This Week – 2004
Marilee Richards, a 14-year member of the Perry Township Fire Department, was promoted to captain. Todd Kirkham and Jim Adams, nine- and 10-year members, respectively, were promoted to lieutenants.
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Max Oldham and Roger Kingery split $5,500 in the reverse raffle sponsored by the Perry Township Kiwanis Club. Spotlight Publisher Jerry Cosby served as master of ceremonies.
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Perry Township Schools sponsored a districtwide fundraising contest for Baxter YMCA, which was still recovering from tornado damage suffered in 2002. Southport Middle School took first-place honors by raising $2,090. For their efforts, pupils got to wear short pants to school. A front-page picture depicted the smiling faces of Joe Matkins, Jayla Leath, Megan Thompson, Cody Wilde, Kim Perkins, Samantha Jackson, Chris Webb, Julia Turpin, Zoe Johnson, Nikki Thomas, Abbey Allen, Kevin Long, Luke Schofield, Jordan Jackson, Montez Tyler and Steve Kirkwood.
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Clinton Young Elementary first-graders visited Adrian Orchards to learn how apples grow. Brianna Jones, Anthony Burdette, Baylie Russell, Taylor Fox, Tyler Donovan, Andrew Hole and Mary Thang were pictured with their teacher, Amanda Spangler.
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Perry Meridian’s freshman cross-country team won the Marion County tournament by placing five runners in the top 20: Alex Sylvester, fourth; Johnny Duty, eighth; Austin Conley, 14th; Kyle Walker, 16th; and Jimmy Schoettle, 19th. The team, which also featured Jonathan Kim, Will Fenn and Billy Remeika, was coached by Gary Raker and Steve Fleenor.

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October 29th, 2014

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