Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
Everything had been finalized for the Madison Avenue Businessmen’s Association’s Halloween party, which was billed as the largest in the city.
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Just in time for Halloween, black and orange jelly beans and spice drops were 21 cents a pound at Danner’s, 1054 Virginia Ave., where costumes cost between $1 and $4.98. 
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“Aunt Jemima” was going to make a special appearance at the all-you-can eat pancake breakfast and dinner at Southport Presbyterian Church. The cost was 50 cents per child, 75 cents per adult. 
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Town and Country Motors, 3030 Madison Ave., allowed its customers to test drive cars for three days.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
The Dolphinettes, a precision swim team at Southport High School, feaured Vonda Tiemeier, Marita Sturgeon, Julie Ake, Becky Harris, Donna Burton, Carol Byrd, Becky Cialli, Sheila Galbraith, Chris Guiser, Marjo Hawkins, Debby Lindsay, Karen Marsh, Candy Miller, Joyce Miner, Sheila Nichols, Sandy Pollard, Vicki Scott, Donna Smith, Jean Swengel, Diana Walker and Carla White. 
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Editor George Cafouros questioned Perry Township Schools’ policy of suspending students for three days when caught smoking. “Simply sending a boy home for three days may be the worst possible punishment ever though of,” he wrote. “It could easily mean that that boy might turn to some form of minor crime during his time away from school and supervision – especially if his parents are working.”
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Bob Fletcher took out a full-page ad to promote the grand opening of his Beech Grove Furniture & Appliance Store. Fletcher had free roses for the ladies, cigars for the men and balloons for children.
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George Coldren’s caster bean plant sported leaves that measured more than 36 inches in width. 

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
Rosie Heidelberger, Catherine Styring and Pat Heidenreich were organizing St. Roch Catholic Parish’s annual holiday bazaar. Mesdames Ronald DeLap and Gordon Gess and Betty McGowan were doing the same thing at Southport Christian Church.  
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Because it had violated numerous city ordinances, the Nickel Bag was forced to close. The front-page article was odd in that it didn’t detail the violations or mention what the business’s nature was. 
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Southern Auto Supply, 3115 Madison Ave., celebrated its grand opening.
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Leaves could only be burned between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
Meridian Woods Community Baptist Church, 329 W. Banta Road, celebrated its 100th anniversary. The worship center was founded in 1885 as First German Baptist Church at Davidson and North streets. It was later housed at Iowa and Singleton streets, where it was known as Bethel Baptist before moving to Banta Road in the late 1960s.  
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Eli Lilly and Co. and its employees pledged $2.15 million to the United Way of Central Indiana. The contribution represented 11 percent of United Way’s goal of $19.6 million.  
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Basey’s Tuck-a-Away, 1305 W. Troy Ave., boasted that it featured some of the finest go-go dancers in the city. 
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Class 3A No. 1 Roncalli defeated No. 2 Cathedral 14-7 on Joe Gillum’s 56-yard touchdown run in the opening round of sectional action. Perry Meridian defeated Columbus 14-7 on Jeff Van Meter’s 9-yard scoring strike to Pat Cherry, and Southport downed Center Grove 32-6 behind Dave McPheson’s two rushing TDs and Tony Booher’s two TD passes.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Roncalli’s volleyball team defeated Perry Meridian and Franklin to win the Center Grove Regional.
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Roncalli football fans Maria Tebbe, J’nai LeFevre, Amy Dawson, Abby Mappes, Jennifer Wiseman, Alecia Capplinger and Jenny Fazio braved the elements to cheer on the Rebels. “We haven’t missed a game yet,” they screamed from under a makeshift tent. 
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Bethany Wesleyan Church, 2802 Shelby St., welcomed the Rev. David R. Cook as its new pastor. He had previously served at area Nazarene churches and Beech Grove Wesleyan Church.
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More than 600 people showed up at the University of Indianapolis’ DeHaan Fine Arts Center to protest the school’s proposal to close Hanna Avenue.
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Tri-Land Properties was giving Southern Plaza a $4 million facelift, which included a new landscape design, new high-impact lighting and building signage and facade improvements.

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

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
The Booster, Manual High School’s newspaper, received a first-class rating from the National Scholastic Press Association by earning 1,600 points out of a possible 1,800 on last semester’s papers.
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Plans were being finalized for the Madison Avenue Businessmen’s Halloween parade and party. Organizers were expecting hundreds of youngsters to march in the parade. 
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Miller’s Regal Market, corner of Madison and Terrace avenues, was having a 10 cent sale on canned beans, stuffed olives, cherries and pineapple. 
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New three- and four-bedroom homes in Rosedale Hills, situated northwest of Thompson Road and Keystone Avenue, were selling from $13,900 to $22,500.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Christ United Methodist Church, 7900 Shelby St., started its worship services with 83 charter members.
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James Wade, chief X-ray technician at University Heights Hospital, was named president of the Indianapolis Society of Radiological Technologists.
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The following quip was published: “Just think of it,” remarked a romantic young man, “a few words mumbled at the altar and you’re married. And a few words mumbled in your sleep and you’re divorced.”

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
George Cafouros penned an article about renowned columnist Ann Landers getting a divorce from her husband of 36 years, Jules Lederer. Cafouros wanted to know how Landers could give advice to couples having marriage problems when she couldn’t save hers. 
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Harold Rightor and Theresa and Reine Snoddy were appearing in Footlite Musicals’ production of “Carousel.”

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
“Coz’ Corner” columnist Jerry Cosby reported on the opening of the Fireside at the Heliport. The elegant restaurant featured a fare of unusual items, including African rock lobster, chicken cashew salad and sauteed scampi. Helicopter rides were offered for $25. 
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Lawrence Central defeated Perry Meridian 10-0 in a football game that was delayed one hour because the referees had gone to the wrong stadium. No. 1 Class 3A Roncalli moved to 7-1 by blasting Columbus North 34-13.  
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Dick the Bruiser, aka “The World’s Most Dangerous Wrestler,” made a special appearance at Mr. Video in Greenwood. 
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The Key West Shrimp House, 2861 Madison Ave. celebrated its 35th anniversary. Owner C.B. Kendall recalled buying shrimp for 42 cents a pound when he opened the restaurant in 1950.
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Dr. Annette Farthing, a dentist, announced that she would give toothbrushes to any trick-or-treaters who visited her Greenwood office.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1995
The Indianapolis Foundation donated $25,000 to the Southside Youth Council so it could expand its staff and purchase computers. The council, whose executive director was Cheryl Shearer, served teenagers through counseling, school services, teen court and adolescent sexual offender treatment programs.
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In a letter to the editor, Anna-Margaret O’Sullivan expressed ire that the University of Indianapolis wanted to incorporate a portion of Hanna Avenue into its campus. If UIndy is truly concerned about the safety of its students crossing the street, she wrote, why not hire crossing guards, as is done at most elementary schools. 
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June L. Mahoney was named director of nursing at Madison Living Center, 4127 Madison Ave. A licensed nurse for 20 years, she had an extensive background in residential care.
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Led by field commanders Jeff Tucker and Liz Kneebone, the marching band from Center Grove High School took third-place honors in Class A of the state finals at the RCA Dome, where Greenwood placed first in Class B.
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Trailing Roncalli 47-12 in the fourth quarter of sectional play, Whiteland football coach Steve Glesing was coaching as if the Warriors were in a barn burner. Glessing remarked afterward, “Although we didn’t win a game this year, I’m impressed from a coaching standpoint. These kids played their hearts out this year.” 

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

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
The opening of Guardian Loan Co.’s branch at 2612 Madison Ave., brought one of America’s most efficient loan offices to the Southside. 
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Olive Branch Christian Church, 101 E. Raymond St., was serving its free turkey dinner.
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Dr. William H. Riffle, a graduate of Manual High School and Indiana University School of Dentistry, opened a practice at 14 Union St. in Southport.
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Fifty tulip bulbs cost $1.66 at G.C. Murphy’s in Fountain Square, where a pound of chocolate drops were 23 cents and Dacron tailored curtains cost $1.66 a pair. Danner’s 5 and 10 cent store – just a few doors away – was selling tulip bulbs for 63 cents a dozen.
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“Goodbye, My Fancy,” a three-act comedy, opened the season for the Catholic Theatre Guild of Indianapolis at Marian College.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Don McClarney opened Madison Village Pharmacy at 7210 Madison Ave. 
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Southport High School’s student body elected Ruth Chappel, Cheryl Chance and Cheryl Riley to serve as reserve cheerleaders.
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Queen candidates for Southport’s homecoming were Lyn Browning, DeDe Gentry, Carol Glass, Linda Hensley, Judy Pigg and Patty Wasson.
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The Indianapolis Fire Department named Lt. Donald A. Bollinger as its Fireman-Citizen of the Year. He was cited for his work with the department, Boys Scouts, Rosedale Hills Evangelical United Brethren Church and fraternal organizations.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
Lincoln Elementary School was holding its annual Mardi gras, which featured a country store, bake and gift shops, a haunted house, prizes and sumptuous food. 
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Carol Williams was among the women organizing the Southside Welcome Wagon Club.
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A story reported that about 200 residents showed up at a City-County Council meeting to protest the business practices of The Nickle Bag, 7631 S. Meridian St. What the article failed to mention was the nature of the business.
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Davidson’s Industries in Southport purchased the Burnet-Binford Lumber Co. on West 30th Street.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
The Wild family – Erich and Roselyn and daughters Kathy Cutshaw and Sandy – owners of McCarrel’s Jewelry, 2610 Madison Ave., was celebrating the company’s 52nd birthday. 
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The annual Oldtimers Kickball Tournament was contested at St. Jude Church, where teams from various Southside parishes vied for the title. Among the competitors was Bobby (Nevitt) Carrico, who was pictured taking time out to feed her baby.  
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Ginny Heck, Patty Schmaltz, Betty Barnett, Elsie Hoovler, Mary Springer and Ann Guffey were seen displaying the quilt to be raffled at St. Mark Catholic Church’s luncheon and bridal show. 
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Perry Meridian’s Sherry Moore, Kristen Bennett, Justin Reed, Keith Dinnage and Matthew Kinsey were named National Merit semifinalists. They represented the top half of the top 1 percent of Indiana’s high school senior class.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Southport’s Adam Kamman kicked a 36-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining in the game to give the Cardinals a 12-10 homecoming win over Lawrence North.
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Warren Skeen was pictured taking his 5-year-old daughter, Julie, for a ride in a go-kart that he had built from scratch.  
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Roadmaster, the Indy-based rock group known for such hits as “Sweet, Sweet Music” and “Doesn’t Mean a Thing,” performed a free concert Downtown in celebration of the Hoosier Lottery’s seventh birthday. The band featured lead vocalist Steve McNally, guitarist Rick Bennick, drummer Bobby John, keyboardist Michael Reed and bassist Toby Myers. Jimmy Riser, known for his song “Same Old Look,” performed a set before Roadmaster took the stage. 
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Clinton Young Elementary recognized students who made the A/B honor roll and/or received an A in citizenship for the first six weeks of schools. The honorees were Charles Miller, Jerry Headrick, Montez Shelby, T.J. Alexander, Kevin Williams, Jeff Moulton, Chris Foley, Jamie Shaw, Amanda Plocki, Brandy Biddle, Courtney Long, Megan Pritt and Gayle Goldsby.
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David Clem, a sophomore at Perry Meridian and the son of Homer and Diane Clem, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest attainable honor in Scouts. His service project entailed him making wooden signs and maps for trails at Southeastway Park.

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

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1955
Leslie Ball won a 24-inch TV in the raffle during the festival held by the Madison Avenue Businessmen’s Association, and Republican mayoral candidate Jim Birr won an automatic washing machine, which he donated to Wood High School. 
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Mrs. Mary Wilhoyt conducted free beginning sewing classes at Indianapolis Public School 35.
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The Perry Township Junior High School PTA was expecting about 2,500 people to attend its chili dinner, fish fry and bake sale.
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Cecil Hurt Mortuary and Thoman Shoe Store were running away from the competition in the St. Catherine Bowling League with 15-0 and 14-1 records, respectively. Sportsman Stores (9-6) was in third place.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1965
Indiana National Bank took out a full-page ad to advertise the opening of its 27th branch, which was located at 2359 Shelby St. 
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American Fletcher National Bank estimated that it cost $23,796 to raise a child through college.
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The Howard Johnson’s at 2635 Madison Ave. served a buffet spaghetti dinner for $1 every Wednesday.
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The Old Dutch Delicatessen, 2949 Meridian St., offered the following specials for 98 cents: six hot dogs or four coneys or five hamburgers. The deli also offered more than 60 brands of beer and daily lunch specials for 98 cents.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1975
The Rev. Larry Curtis was installed as senior pastor of Southport United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Nancy, previously served at Bradley UMC in Greenfield. They had two children, Linda, 12, and Wesley, 10.
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Meridian Middle students Laura Porter, Sabrina Lee and Mark Thurman were promoting the school’s annual bean supper, at which a raffle for a 10-speed bicycle would be held.
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Mayoral candidate Bill Hudnut, who was running against Robert V. Welch, received a fair amount of press coverage with two pictures and an article promoting his campaign.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1985
Late-night “King of Fright” Sammy Terry appeared at Abraham Lincoln Elementary’s Mardi Gras.
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Southport High School’s football team had plenty to cheer about as the Cardinals defeated Perry Meridian 22-12. 
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Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hall won the fifth annual Neighborhood Beautification Award for the restoration work they did on their home at 604 E. LeGrande Ave. 
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An 8-ounce T-bone, baked potato, salad, hot ranch toast and a hot vegetables bar were served for $4.99 at Mac’s, 3939 S. Keystone Ave.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1995
Two-year-old Hunter Johnson Bartley, son of Terry and Joan Bartley, was scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery. Hunter was born with Down’s syndrome and two forms of congenital heart disease.
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Yours truly penned a column on how the University of Northwestern’s football team – the perennial cellar dweller of the Big Ten since McDonald’s introduced its Big Mac in 1967 – was boasting a 4-1 record with wins over Notre Dame and Michigan. The Wildcats were off to their best start since 1963 – back when Ara Parseghian ran the show.  
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The old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, long situated at 700 S. New Jersey St., was razed. A new worship center had been built at 3932 Mi Casa Ave. 
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The former St. Patrick School, 930 E. Prospect St., was dedicated as a transitional housing facility for people facing long-term homelessness.
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Beech Grove native Mike Aulby was presented a diamond ring during the Professional Bowlers Association Indianapolis Open at Market Square Arena. The prized piece of jewelry was in recognition of him winning the three major titles in 1995.
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Southport High School’s homecoming queen candidates were seniors Jenny Ausbrooks, Brittany Evans and Megan Metelko. The court members were freshman Stephanie Kelley, sophomore Erin Reardon and junior Megan Pinnix.

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