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. 
* * *
People who opened a new account at Citizens Federal Savings & Loan, 7050 Madison Ave., received 1,000 S&H Green Stamps.
* * *
The U.S. Postal Service opened a substation in the Hook’s Drug Store at 2835 Madison Ave.
* * * 
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. 
* * *
John Emrich was installed as worshipful master of the Southport Masonic Lodge.
* * *
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. 
* * *
John “Jack” Holdt was named chairman of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.
* * *
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.
* * * 
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).
* * *  
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.  
* * * 
Indiana Downs, a horse racing facility in Shelbyville, opened to much fanfare and boasted 250 employees.
* * *
“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.
* * *

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.
* * *
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. 
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * * 
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. 
* * *
The Rev. Philip Pavich was named pastor of Sacred Heart Parish.
* * *
The Southport City Council appointed Ralph Camine to serve out the term of Mayor James Hill, who had moved to Kentucky.
* * *
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.  
* * *
Marie Toler was installed as associate pastor of Southport Baptist Church.
* * *
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.   
* * * 
The Indianapolis Red Cross launched its Carrier Alert Program, which authorized mailmen to monitor the welfare of individuals on their routes. 
* * * 
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. 
* * * 
Cleary Vacuum Cleaner Co., 3004 S. Meridian St., was destroyed during an early morning fire.
* * *

Ben Stallings (left) and Bill Amonett, who owned Beck Muffler, relocated their shop to 6025 Madison Ave.
* * *  
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. 
* * * 

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. 
* * *
Students and staff members from Southport Middle School donated more than 800 gifts to WRTV6’s toy drive for needy children. 
* * *
Roncalli band members presented their annual Christmas concert.
* * *
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.

60 Years Ago This Week - 1962 
 The Merit Shoe Co., 1108 Shelby St., sold desert boots for $3.83. 
* * *
Specials at Buck’s Super Market, 3015 S. Meridian St., included a dozen eggs for 53 cents; a gallon of milk, 59 cents; six 6-ounce cans of frozen concentrated orange juice, 89 cents; and a pound of ground beef, 89 cents.
* * *
A financial adviser, a physician and a minister teamed to conduct a marriage seminar at the Interchurch Center.
* * * 
The Rev. Charles Strickler was installed as the new minister of Olive Branch Christian Church, 101 E. Raymond Ave.

50 Years Ago This Week - 1972
St. Francis Hospital’s nine-story, $3 million medical arts building was under construction in Beech Grove. 
* * *
St. John’s United Church of Christ celebrated the start of Advent with a family service.
* * *
Indianapolis Public School 27, 1202 E. Troy Ave., held its annual candy sale.
* * *
Toasters and coffee makers were on sale for $7.88 at G.C. Murphy’s in Fountain Square, and a 6-foot artificial Christmas tree was marked down to $11.98.

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 boys basketball teams from Perry Meridian and Southport squared off in their annual Thanksgiving Eve battle, with the Cardinals prevailing 50-43. 
* * *
Roncalli’s girls basketball team defeated Manual 71-33. Leading the way for the Rebels were Nique Schott, Katie Andrews, Nikki Lawrie, Karrie Stahley, Missy Abbott, Erika Scott, Sarah Hurrle and Michelle Eckhart.
* * *
Perry Meridian’s Andrew Wilson and Kirby Wing-Kay were finalists in the National Science Scholars program. 
* * * 
With the number of viral hepatitis cases increasing throughout Indianapolis, the Marion County Health Department alerted the public to take appropriate measures to prevent the disease from spreading further. 

20 Years Ago This Week - 2002
Blake Davis, the 6-year-old son of Greenwood residents Jennifer Leak and Steve Davis, flipped the switch to kick off Indianapolis’ Circle of Lights celebration, which included a visit from Santa Claus, music of the season and the lighting of the “world’s tallest Christmas tree.”
* * * 
Spotlight Publisher Jerry Cosby participated in Perry Township Schools’ Principal for a Day program, taking over as head honcho at MacArthur Elementary.
* * *

These Franklin Central seniors signed their college commitment papers. Enjoying the moment while looking to the future were (from left) Jacob O’Brien, Purdue, wrestling; Alissa Tielking, IUPUI, cross country; Sherri Rohde, University of Maryland (Baltimore County), basketball; and Natalie Collins, Morehead State (Kentucky), basketball. 
* * *

The Spell Bowl team from Homecroft Elementary School won the Perry Township title to advance to the state finals. The squad featured (in no particular order) Samantha Doughty, Brittany Edwards, Jeremy Hughes, Justess Hurst, Derk Lane, Clayton Leslie, Lian Lian Ling, Jordyn Mason, Timothy Mosier, Rebekah Munger, Jake Scott, Daniel Smedema, Nathan Weber, Alexander Zuniga, proctor Melinda Smedema, coach Carolyn Weiss and Principal Tom Wade.
* * * 
Roncalli’s football team defeated Jasper 10-6 in 4A semistate action to earn a berth in the state finals at the RCA Dome, where the Rebels (9-4) would face Fort Wayne Dwenger (13-1).
* * * 
David Bohall opened Big Daddy’s Auto Sales at Madison and Sumner avenues and sold cars ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. 

10 Years Ago This Week - 2012

Santa and Mrs. Claus were greeted with much fanfare during the Christmas tree-lighting celebration in Greenwood.
​ * * *
Roncalli senior Amanda McClellan earned a perfect score during the state finals of the Spell Bowl to lead the Rebels to an eighth-place finish.
* * *
Perry Meridian’s No.1-ranked wrestling team won the Capital City Classic. Individual champs for the Falcons were Jacob Cottey, Brandon James, Cody LeCount, Nick Bova, Keanu Cooper, Riley McClurg, Jake Massengale and Donte Winfield.

60 Years Ago This Week - 1962 
 Representatives of Greater Southside Inc. asked the Board of Sanitary Commissioners to install storm sewers along Hanna Avenue from Madison to Carson avenues. 
* * *
Garfield Park American Legion Auxiliary 88 hosted its annual turkey and ham dinner.
* * *
Southport High School’s PTA served a bowl of chili, a fish sandwich, a salad and a dessert for $1.

50 Years Ago This Week - 1972
Preferred TV, 6845 Madison Ave., debuted a television that could record shows.
* * *
Ed and Clare Heidenreich, who owned Heidenreich Florist at 5320 Madison Ave., held their annual Christmas open house.
* * *
Airmen Stephenie Hughes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hughes and a graduate of Manual High, and Michael McAllen, son of Mr. and Mrs. John McAllen and a Southport grad, completed basic training and were assigned to Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.
* * * 
Beall’s shoe store in Beech Grove held a sale on its fall and winter footwear.

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
Tex Black from American Legion Garfield Park Post 88 was honored for his extraordinary service to veterans.
* * *
The following advice was featured in the “Turkey Talk for Dummies” section: There is not much quality difference between a fresh and frozen turkey; buy 1 pound of turkey for each person you plan on serving; it takes about four days to thaw a 16-pound bird in a refrigerator; roast at 325 degrees for optimal flavor. 
* * *
Meridian Middle School’s volleyball team completed its second consecutive undefeated season by downing Keystone Middle in the Perry Township tournament. The squad featured Suzanne Wesner, J’nai LeFevre, Katie Douglas, Nicole Ellis, Erin Covert, Jennifer Marx, Julie Groves, Amy Frey, Danielle Gibbons, Amanda Vice, Natalie Visker, Holly Turk, Angie Weddle and coach Doug Osborn. 
* * * 
Southport High students Amanda Baker, Kim Price, Joe Craig, Jill Pickett, Becky Winingham, Janis Miller, Doug Smith and Kira Peters were rehearsing for their school’s production of “The Sound of Music.”

20 Years Ago This Week - 2002

Roncalli’s football team won its first Class 4A sectional title by defeating Shelbyville 28-7; Franklin Central’s undefeated season in 5A came to an end when walloped 36-0 by Warren Central.  
* * * 
The Perry Township Board of Education and its legal counsel debated whether to renew a 30-year lease of Bluff Park to Indy Parks for $1 annually. The grounds at 555 W. Hanna Ave. were once the site of Bluff Avenue School.
* * *
Roncalli’s National Merit scholars were Dave Bauman, Stephanie Horan, Brendan Murphy, Rebecca Noe, Kathryn Tolle and Tyler Warner.
* * * 
The following poem by Lauren Garmon and Kristin Stenger, students at Jeremiah-Gray and Mary Bryan elementary schools, respectively, was published.
“Don’t Forget to Bless”
Halloween is over; the leaves are now falling
The birds begin to fly; must be the South calling.
Turkey Day is here. As snow floats in the air
The smell of the dressing cooking; time to hibernate little bear.
Momma cleans the china; the table has been set
Drop that carving knife, Dad; we haven’t said the blessing yet.

10 Years Ago This Week - 2012
In Memory of Jennifer and Dion Longworth

An earth-shaking explosion leveled five homes and damaged 70 others in the Richmond Hill subdivision -- near Stop 11 Road and Sherman Drive – killing Jennifer and John “Dion” Longworth.  

Sixth-graders at South Grove Intermediate School learned about the political parties and election laws. The children were (front, from left) Alexis Mattingly, Kayla Jennett, Ana Ramirez, Emily Leak, Madeline Adamson, Abby Gold, Blayde Tingler; (back) Coy Doyle, Devin Bow, Randy Middleton, Jacob Paske, Tyler Bennett, Dallas Culpepper, Jon Danz, Breanna Small, Cierra Ray, Rhiannon Auspitz and Abby Byrd.
* * *

Students at Mary Bryan Elementary School donned their finest attire when participating in “Dress Like a Teacher Day.” The dapper gents, pictured with Assistant Principal Craig Hendrick, were Grant Lizon, Xander Goodwin, Wyatt Manley, Luke Freeman and Tanner Percifield.