60 Years Ago This Week - 1962 
 Pam Bunnell, Brenda Lyles, Shirley Taylor, Ginny O’Brien and Becky Woods were queen candidates for the Christmas dance at the Boys Club. The king’s court consisted of Ronnie Long, Charles Sparks, Larry Byers, Dennis Hanley and Mike Scott.
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Fred Falendar, who had designed and built more than 700 homes on the Westside, announced plans to develop Hill Valley Estates, off Meridian Street just south of Stop 11 Road.
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Responding to the requests of its customers, Murphy’s in Fountain Square was going to extend its hours until 10:30 p.m. the Fridays and Saturdays before Christmas.

50 Years Ago This Week - 1972
Center United Methodist Church hosted a live Nativity scene.
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George Kopetsky, who owned a car wash in Greenwood, opened the Red Carpet Shopping Center on County Line Road.
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Marine Lance Cpl. Edgar Burgin Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Burgin, was studying computer processing.

40 Years Ago This Week - 1982
The archives from 1982 were ruined when The Spotlight’s lower level was flooded in June 1992.

30 Years Ago This Week - 1992

Angie Schott, the 21-month-old daughter of Joe and Bonnie Schott, is all smiles as her dad helps to finalize plan for St. Roch Parish’s New Year’s Eve party.
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Perry Meridian High School’s Students of the Month for November were freshman Stephanie Eck, sophomore Natalie Harris, junior Jeremy Garriatano and senior Matt Gladden.
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The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta issued a warning about listeriosis, a disease responsible for more than 400 recent deaths in the United States.
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Central Catholic School’s fifth- and sixth-grade girls basketball won its division with a 10-0 record. The squad consisted of (kneeling, from left) Jenny Bridgewater, Pam Kocher, Tabatha Naugle; (standing) Sylvia Wendein, coach Joe Reifers, Leah Boyce, coach Chuck Hayes, Jenna Hayes and mascot Jarod Hayes.

20 Years Ago This Week - 2002
Randy Edgeman was named to serve chairman of the Pathfinder District of Boy Scouts; Steve Battiato would serve as vice chairman, with Gary Kubancsek remaining as commissioner.
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Perry Meridian middle schoolers Amanda Potter, Tanner Willsey, Patrick Shea, Tonya West, Matt McNutt and Brittany Lasley showcased their bowling skills at a local tournament for Special Olympics. They all placed third or better.
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Led by Christina Cunningham, Heather Burleson and Tanisha Duerson, the girls basketball team from Perry Meridian High School advanced to the semifinals of the Marion County tournament by defeating Lawrence North 61-48 in overtime.

10 Years Ago This Week - 2012

Current and former members of Perry Meridian‘s Then and Now Choir performed during the high school’s Christmas concert.
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The Greater Southport Business/Community Alliance presented its Community Service Award to Barry Browning and its Business Achievement Award to Roger and Robin Heldman, who owned Direct Connect Printing & Digital Services.

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60 Years Ago This Week - 1962 
 King and queen candidates for Manual High School’s Christmas dance were John Evans, Mike Shea, Dave Bramlett, Wayne Monroe, Sue Stephenson, Joy Vornhem, Sandy Hopwood and Janice Ryder. 
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People who opened a new account at Citizens Federal Savings & Loan, 7050 Madison Ave., received 1,000 S&H Green Stamps.
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The U.S. Postal Service opened a substation in the Hook’s Drug Store at 2835 Madison Ave.
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Charles Boggs returned from the military to manage the Merchants National Bank & Trust branch at Shelby Street and Hanna Avenue.

 50 Years Ago This Week - 1972
Robert Schueth was named director of marketing for Harper J. Ransburg, a manufacturer of bathing supplies and pantry ware. 
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John Emrich was installed as worshipful master of the Southport Masonic Lodge.
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The Perry Township Board of Education determined the boundaries for Southport and Perry Meridian high schools, the latter opening in 1973.

40 Years Ago This Week - 1982
The archives from 1982 were ruined when The Spotlight’s lower level was flooded in June of 1992.

30 Years Ago This Week - 1992
The unemployment rate for Marion and Johnson counties was 5.1 and 3.9 percent, respectively. 
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John “Jack” Holdt was named chairman of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.
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New Year’s Eve dinners at the Fireside South Restaurant, 522 E. Raymond St., were priced at $18.95. The featured entrees were prime rib, filet mignon, ham and shrimp, all served with green beans, corn, potatoes, soup, salad and dessert.
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Larry Leap rolled a perfect 300 game in the Sport Bowl Classic. Other top scores were posted by David Harris (290) and Larry Milli (269).
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Central Catholic School’s fifth- and sixth-grade girls basketball team (10-0) was crowned divisional champs. The squad consisted of Jenny Bridgewater, Pam Kocher, Tabatha Naugle, Sylvia Wendlein, Leah Boyce, Jenna Hayes, mascot Jarod Hayes and coaches Joe Reiffers and Chuck Hayes.  

20 Years Ago This Week - 2002
Santa’s magical powers would surely be tested as he was scheduled to appear simultaneously at Southern Plaza, Sarah Shank Golf Course and Cardwell Do-it Best Home Center.  
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Indiana Downs, a horse racing facility in Shelbyville, opened to much fanfare and boasted 250 employees.
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“Bookman” columnist Don Fogleman reflected on a lousy Thanksgiving. “I woke up feeling sick and had no appetite. I found some two-year-old penicillin tablets in the medicine cabinet and took them. When I finally got better the turkey and pie were gone.”

St. Roch seventh-graders Alex Gude, Jacob Knapple, Erin Markham, Natalie Bustle, Kasey Kehl, Lindsey Sullivan, Stephanie Dugan and Stephanie Heaney visited the University of Notre Dame to get a look at college life. They are seen with Irish quarterback Carlyle Holiday.
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Kiwanis International honored local fifth-graders for improving their grades. 

10 Years Ago This Week - 2012

Retired teachers from Beech Grove Schools, including (from left) Donna Joyce, Donna Hirt and Jane Swartz, gathered for their annual luncheon.
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Roncalli’s Mitchell Carroll, who had recently achieved Eagle Scout status, scored a perfect 36 on the math section of the ACT.

60 Years Ago This Week - 1962
Lenvell Baker was elected president of the Perry East Junior High PTA. 
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Bill Styring, who attended Manual High School, took first-place honors in the district oratory contest sponsored by the American Legion; Perry East ninth-grader Regina Cox placed second.
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The South Side Optimist Club was holding its annual Christmas tree sale at Madison and Southern avenues, where 4- to 6-foot Scotch pines cost $3.98.
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Pedigo’s in Fountain Square advertised a 50-piece stainless steel tableware set for $9.88.

 50 Years Ago This Week - 1972
Osco Drug and Eisner Foods opened at 3902 Madison Ave. 
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The Rev. Philip Pavich was named pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.
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The Southport City Council appointed Ralph Camine to serve out the term of Mayor James Hill, who had moved to Kentucky.
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Frank Bixler and Dr. John Butler signed a contract to build University Heights Hospital at 3300 Carson Ave.

40 Years Ago This Week - 1982
The archives from 1982 were ruined when The Spotlight’s lower level was flooded in June of 1992.

30 Years Ago This Week - 1992
Although it was old news, a fitting story was published on the success enjoyed by Perry Meridian sophomore Travis Strauch at the Indiana Special Olympics in Terre Haute, where he won gold medals in three wheelchair races.  
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Marie Toler was installed as associate pastor of Southport Baptist Church.
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Former basketball players from Indiana and Purdue universities were going to play in a benefit game for Central Indiana Boy Scouts at Southport Fieldhouse. IU players included Steve Alford, Scott May, Ray Tolbert, Stew Robinson, Dan Dakich, Ted Kitchel, Phil Isenbarger and Wayne Ratford. The Boilers were represented by Troy Lewis, Jerry Sichting, Brian Walker, Ryan Berning, Steve Reid, Ricky Hall and Mack Gadis.   
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The Indianapolis Red Cross launched its Carrier Alert Program, which authorized mailmen to monitor the welfare of individuals on their routes. 
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Andrea Garrett, Collin Poynter, Jenny Kocher, Tina Valdois, Wendy and Tom Haydock and David Hollenbaugh had roles in Footlite Musicals’ production of “The Music Man.”

20 Years Ago This Week - 2002
Sacred Heart Catholic Church welcomed the public into its renovated sanctuary, which had been beautifully restored after being severely damaged in a fire 19 months ago. 
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Cleary Vacuum Cleaner Co., 3004 S. Meridian St., was destroyed during an early morning fire.
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Ben Stallings (left) and Bill Amonett, who owned Beck Muffler, relocated their shop to 6025 Madison Ave.
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Randy Decker’s letter to the editor praised Southport High School for its production of “The Sound of Music.” Decker noted that everyone from staff members Jeanne Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Levin and John Ross to second-grader Macy McClanahan, the youngest cast member, played a key role.
* * * 
Led by Christian Cunningham’s 11 points, the girls basketball team from Perry Meridian upped its record to 3-0 by defeating Warren Central 58-42. 
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St. Barnabas’ fourth-grade girls basketball team won its division after going undefeated. The squad consisted of (front, from left) Sarah Jungemann, Erin Rowland, Marissa Hendrickson, Kristen Thomas; (back) coach Rob Thomas, Katie English, Alexis Waugh, Alyssa Snow, Jessica Barrett and coach Ian Cabell.
* * * 
Roncalli won its sixth state football title by defeating Fort Wayne Dwenger 24-21 at the RCA Dome. Sophomore Tim Sergi, filling in for an injured Marcus Nalley, scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard run.

10 Years Ago This Week - 2012
Alex Rinks, a 2002 graduate of Beech Grove High School, was producing the movie “Miles to Go” in Hollywood, Calif. The film depicted a writer who didn’t believe that relationships could last. 
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Students and staff members from Southport Middle School donated more than 800 gifts to WRTV6’s toy drive for needy children. 
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Roncalli band members presented their annual Christmas concert.
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Debbie Zimmerman, Julie Bush, Susanna Hoone, Tom Beck and Mark Goins helped to paint a mural on the side of Suding Hardware’s building, 2218 Shelby St.