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Southside family of nine studying, playing through restrictions

3/29/2020

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Picture
(SUBMITTED PHOTOS) Study time at the Denney household finds A.J., left foreground, Sophia and Nolan, right side, around the dining room table.
PictureWith studies completed, Nolan shoots over A.J. while playing basketball in the dining room.
By Al Stilley
Editor

Franklin Township’s Patrick Denney, like many Southside high school seniors, wanted to make his senior year one to remember.

At Scecina Memorial High School, Patrick sought to experience everything he could. So, he played his final season for the Crusaders’ football and basketball teams. The 6-3 student-athlete actor was preparing for his final baseball season under former Center Grove coach Dave Gandolph and rehearsing for the male lead in SMHS’ spring musical, “Newsies,” that was postponed indefinitely from March 20-21. Spring break, prom and graduation ceremonies were around the corner.

“Kind of a let-down,” he said last week. “I was looking forward to all those events. It’s a bummer, but I know I’m not the only one.”

With schools closed until May 1, Patrick, his five brothers and a sister have been at home since March 13.

They are the children of Todd and Shannon Denney, who live in the far northwest-side of Franklin Township. Todd is an account executive for Brehob Corp., 1334 S. Meridian St. Shannon is the lead pre-kindergarten teacher and second- and third-grade teacher at Lumen Christi Catholic School.

She spent most of last week working on lesson plans for her students while at home. She has been juggling home tasks and meals at home, where Todd also enjoys cooking meals. When the weather breaks, they can get outside for yard work.

​“Everyone has things to do at home,” she said. “Oldest to youngest always have had certain chores to do.”

Daughter Sophia observed her 13th birthday Thursday, but only with dad, mom and her siblings. Grandparents dropped off birthday cupcakes for her but did not go inside the home. Each weekday is not exactly structured.

​Eldest son, Joshua, 22, a senior at IUPUI, studies daily. He had planned on doing research for a college paper at the Indiana History Center archives but is doing his research online at home. With Marian University closed, son Max, 20, a sophomore, is home for the rest of the semester. Joshua and Max also work at Edwards Drive-In, 2126 S. Sherman Drive. The two older boys, Patrick, and Jack, 16, a Scecina sophomore, have gone to a nearby elementary school baseball field to play with their younger brothers, Nolan, 11, and A.J., 8, who were looking forward to a new season at Edgewood Little League. Patrick also works part-time at Kroger’s, 5350 E. Thompson Road. 

Jack was looking forward to playing lacrosse which is canceled. The two youngest boys are students at Lumen Christi. Patrick and Jack must log in online at Scecina by 10 a.m. to be counted as “present” weekdays so they can obtain assignments and work on at home on their laptops.

“That (schoolwork) takes up about three-to four-hours,” Patrick said. “Then we have things to do inside. We have gone outside to play basketball. The other day, we went out and walked around the neighborhood.”

The two youngest boys have plenty of toys, especially Legos, to play; their video-game time is limited.

Sophia is doing a lot of journaling, so that several years from now, she will have a personal record of these days that have altered lives dramatically. She is reading books on a Kindle, one of her birthday presents. Shannon makes sure they are working on their lessons.

“It’s so important that they stay up with their schoolwork,” Shannon said. “We’re coping, but we are very fortunate. We are together, we are healthy, and we have our faith.”

​Shannon took Nolan to Mass at Holy Rosary at 7:30 a.m., March 17, not knowing that it would be the final Mass before restrictions due to COVID-19. They are streaming Mass at home. Prayers are said daily by each member of the Denney family, fostering peace of mind under abnormal circumstances.


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(SUBMITTED PHOTO) The older Denney boys put together a makeshift gym with a punching bag and miniature basketball in the garage. They also have boxing gloves and have been sparing since being home during the days.
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Southport police, volunteers join to help senior citizens

3/29/2020

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By Al Stilley
Editor

Southport police, several businesses and faith-based organizations are joining in helping senior citizens in Southport and Perry Township obtain food, medicine and access to doctor appointments. Southport Police Chief Thomas Vaughn announced Monday morning that police, Perry Senior Services and faith-based Unity for Indy are available to help citizens with essential access or transportation. Food is available at Southport’s new municipal center, 317 E. Worman Ave.

Perry Senior Services joined with police and Unity for Indy in picking up food and prescriptions for residents 60 years or older, an age-group identified by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as the most susceptible to Coronavirus-19.

“This service will be outstanding and will help the folks who need food and doctor visits the most,” first-term Southport Mayor Jim Cooney said. “This will get them the things they need without exposing them to the virus.” Cooney continued, “It’s important that we help each other during these critical times. We need to shelter in place; we are doing that, and we are maintaining social distance and we are helping folks. Our seniors will get the food they need and doctor visits they need.”

Police Chief Wright said police began delivering meals and helping seniors late last week. Pet food also is
included. Wright soon reached out to the senior citizens organization and to area churches. Melissa Johnson, executive director of Perry Senior Services, and pastor Rebecca Stoltz, Drinking at the Well ministries, spoke briefly Monday.

Vaughn expressed appreciation for the Midwest Food Bank that donated food items, Christy’s Auction for a truck and manpower to move in food items, Lowe’s for a freezer, and Home Depot for a refrigerator. The food items are stored in the police department’s training building.

“Born and raised on the Southside, I can tell you that the Southside bands together during times of need,” Vaughn said. “One of the things that broke my heart when Coronavirus started, we saw everybody running to the stores (grocery). It got us to thinking about the seniors who can’t jump up, get to the stores and stand in long lines.”

Vaughn said the project has grown quickly with the help of volunteers who helped package bags of food Thursday and Friday.

​“We are here to help,” Vaughn said. “It’s part of our ‘protect and serve’ – that’s what we do.” The service also is available for those of any age with physical or mental issues. For help with obtaining or being driven to pick up food, prescriptions or to a doctor, call Perry Senior Services at 317-783-9231, leave a message at the hotline at 317-2240183 or visit perryseniorservices.org, or southportpolice. org.

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