Friday, April 25, 2025
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THE POWER OF POETRY
Chloe Caldwell reads “The Beauty of Imperfection”, her poem which won the student division of Three Sisters Books & Gifts’ poetry contest, while Dr. Carolyn Statler looks on. Placing second was Lily Slaven, pictured below with her parents, Chad and Cynthia Slaven. Adult division winners, also recognized at The Strand Theatre reading, were Emma Spahr, Betsabe Miranda and Josh Buhneing, respectively. | photos by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Election Board Discusses Current Topics
It may be an off-year for elections, but work for the Shelby County Election Board continues, with the board meeting this week to debrief and discuss logistics and budgetary matters. With Gov. Braun recently signing an amended bill increasing requirements - and workload - for voter registration, local officials expect costs to continue to increase.
“We’ve seen in almost every year now since Covid: election costs are going up, if it’s not something to do with hygiene and safety, it’s something to do with security or unhappiness in one or the other party,” Election Deputy Jeff Sponsel said.
The board also discussed the continually-expanding list of reasons Indiana residents can vote absentee, which some officials expect to eventually be curtailed.
Also, the voter registration list in Shelby County continues to grow, reaching 31,105 before last year’s election, with officials citing voters living and voting longer.
“Our voter registration is up almost 10,000 people from when I came here (to the Clerk’s office) 13 years ago, but the population hasn’t changed much at all in Shelby County,” Sponsel said. “It all comes with an expense.”
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NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville High School Social Studies Academic Super Bowl Team on Tuesday qualified for state competition at Purdue University on May 10 by scoring the second-highest score in the state. Team members include Xandar Pavey (captain), Jake Huffman, Lillian Connors and Mylez Clark. Mr. Vince Bradburn is the coach.
Shelbyville High School senior and Lady Mayor Emmie Higgins was named recipient of the Vestavia Award for holding the highest scholastic average. In 1962, Rita Fern Comstock, a member of the Vestavia Club and teacher at SHS, suggested an award be given to the graduating girl with the highest GPA. At that time, the boy with the highest average was named Lord Mayor, but the girl received no recognition. The Vestavia Award has been given annually since. Higgins received a monetary award and a locket at a recent dinner.
A vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of S. Harrison St. and 4th St., Shelbyville. One of the drivers, who said she was looking down to grab her coffee at the time of accident, had a suspended license. She was issued a citation and had to be picked up from the scene.
HOOSIER NEWS: Lawmakers passed a measure last year that says most students who do not pass the state's third grade reading exam cannot move forward to fourth grade. The House gave its final approval this week for another bill that gives students another chance to take that test before being retained. Third graders currently have one chance to retake the IREAD-3 during the summer before being held back. HEA 1499 gives them an additional chance in the summer. (Indiana Public Media)
INTERNATIONAL NEWS: In Japan, steel is now cheaper than water. The average price of a 1-liter bottle of mineral water reaches 156 yen (US $1.09) while the average distribution price for 1.6 millimeter cold-rolled steel sheets comes in at 1441,500 yen per ton, which breaks down to 141.5 yen per kilogram. That is 15 yen cheaper than a kilogram of water. Iron being cheaper than water is only the result of the closure of a number of blast furnaces across the country. (Nikkei Asia / Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
March 19, 1931
A high school basketball team from Texas had toured Indiana during the season, playing Shelbyville at one point. The team, the Athens Hornets, had gone on to win the state championship.
The Courier noted the many names of W.F. Loper. “Carol and Warren call him Daddy, the students call him Mr. Loper, but to the Kiwanians, he’s just plain Bill.” Mrs. Loper, however, called him Floyd.
Due to flu season, attendance had dropped to 94.1 percent, down from the usual 97.3 percent earlier in the school year.
Following a survey, approximately 160 students rode to school on bicycles, one on a motorcycle, 73 arrived in cars, one on a street car and “countless” junior high students roller skated to school. One car carried 11 students to school each day. The Courier predicted the high school would eventually have a landing field for airplanes.
A senior wrote an article about “raising” a mustache. “There comes a time in the life of every romantically inclined young man in which he desires to raise a mustache,” the article started.
This Day in Shelby County History
News around Shelbyville and the surrounding area as reported on or about this date in history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: A woman was struck by a vehicle in the 1100 block of Fairfield Drive after the driver of the vehicle yelled obscenities, and the woman, who was nearby, said she went to question the driver. The mini-van was light blue and the driver had red hair. “Redhead cussing blue streak strikes pedestrian,” The Shelbyville News reported.
1995: Gary and Michelle Nolley started a new track club that had U.S.A. Track & Field and Amateur Athletic Union membership status.
Dr. Wilson Dalton said he planned to give 117 W. Washington St., a medical office building, to the Blue River Foundation. The Foundation was negotiating with Major Hospital officials to sell them the building.
1985: Long-time educator Gerald Carmony was named Citizen of the Year by the Morristown Chamber of Commerce. The former superintendent of Shelby Eastern Schools was honored at the Chamber’s annual dinner, held at the Bluebird Restaurant. Carmony was a 1934 graduate of Manilla High School and had taught at Morristown, Shelby Township and Mount Auburn before becoming principal at Manilla and Carthage. Chamber officers were Robert Jones, Dana Caldwell, Hazel Slifer and Patricia Spurlock.
1975: Pat Rady, 34, was named head coach of the SHS basketball team. Rady had previously coached at Winchester, and his overall coaching record was 172-75. He would also teach physical education and health at SHS.
WSVL’s Jack Boyce and The Shelbyville News’ Bernie Gilmer attempted to beat the mile run time of 7:06 posted by the winner of the girl’s meet. The attempt failed. Boyce finished in 7:22 (Gilmer called him “a professional jogger who masquerades as a radio announcer”). Gilmer ran an 8:19.
1965: The Children’s Choir of St. Paul Christian Church sang at an Indianapolis choir festival. The choir was directed by Elizabeth Mitchell, who was assisted by Doris Wolverton. Choir members were David McNeely, Arlan Gross, Sammy Fields, Mary Dearinger, Patricia VanDyke, Bonnie Taggart, Peggy Clapp, Jennie May, Wayne Fields, Randy Case, Gene Case, Carla Land, Cindy Leffler, Cindy Baker and Sue Ellen Case.
Shelco Motors opened in a new building on E. State Road 44 near the intersection of Progress Road.
1955: Eighty-two Moral Township students took a New York Central train trip to Indianapolis as the result of a former Moral student. The excursion was planned by Robert Frederick, who had a day off his real life job as a train engineer. “The 82 kids, tended by four room mothers and two bell-toting teachers, fretted for nearly 10 minutes before the tardy 10:01 passenger train arrived,” The Shelbyville News reported. The students enjoyed box lunches and learned about trains through a visit to Union Station and the city switchyard. The room mothers were Mrs. Everett Vandenburg, Mrs. Russell Mohr, Mrs. Millard Eck and Mrs. James Wilkins. The students were driven home in the evening by bus drivers Ray Wilkins and Harley Mohr.
1945: The local Forty and Eight embarked on a campaign to purchase 30,000 new decks of playing cards for Americans fighting overseas. Numerous events were planned to promote the cause.
1935: Morristown High School seniors held a celebration in Dodds Memorial Hall to mark the 25th anniversary of Morristown High School, the 300th anniversary of the founding of high schools in America and in honor of the senior class, which was the first to have completed all of their studies in the new building built 12 years’ prior. Jess Willard of Fountaintown, a member of the class, gave the welcome address.
Two new rooms would be added to the Forty and Eight chateau on Flat Rock River, organization officials announced.
1925: Sixty-five Flat Rock High School students went to IU in “automobile buses,” The Republican reported. Students particularly enjoyed the medical exhibits in Owen Hall.
1915: Four hundred laborers were assigned to build a double track east of Shelbyville for New York Central. The double track was scheduled to go to London.
Herb DePrez had the best fishing story of the season, The Republican reported, and the story was verified by men at the ice plant on S. Noble St. DePrez had gone to the pump to get a drink, which was part of a 120-foot-deep well. DePrez pumped and pumped until he got a small stream of water, but nothing more. He called for a man at the plant, and the pump was taken apart. “In the suck was found a four-pound bass, alive and kicking but fastened on surely. The bass the next day occupied the place of honor at dinner.”
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OBITUARIES
Charles “Chuck” Richardson, 63, of Shelbyville, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Community South Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born July 20, 1961, in Shelbyville, the son of Ernest and Janet (Andis) Richardson. On November 30, 1984, he married his wife of 40 years, Molly Foster, and she survives. In addition to Molly, Chuck is survived by his daughters, Brianna Wetrick and husband, Brandon, and Betsy Shonk and husband, Joseph, both of Shelbyville, and Brooke Rohlfing and husband, Kevin, of Bargersville; brothers, Bill Richardson and wife, Laura, Richard Richardson and wife, Missy, and Doug Richardson, all of Shelbyville, and Kyle Richardson and wife, Catlyn, of St. Paul; grandchildren, Sierra, Lyndsey, Logan, Addysyn and Alexa; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jennie Richardson; and brothers, Dennis Richardson and Jimmy Richardson.
Chuck was an autobody painter at Laibe Corporation in Indianapolis, for over 30 years, retiring in 2015. He enjoyed hot rods and race cars. Chuck had an extensive collection of Hot Wheels and loved going to flea markets.
A Gathering of Friends and Family will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St., in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Twisted Toy Drive or to Freeman Family Funeral Homes to help with the funeral expenses. Online condolences may be shared with Chuck’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Gene A. Edmonds, 73, of Waldron, passed away Friday April 18, 2025 at Franciscan Health Indianapolis. He was born July 9, 1951 in Lebanon, Ind., to Donald A. Edmonds and Nova M. (Privett) Edmonds.
Gene was a family man. He enjoyed being around his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandson. His passion was riding his Harley and being out on the water fishing. He always had a story to tell when you were around him. He loved watching western movies and being outside watching the birds.
He is survived by his son, Johnathan Scott Guffey; his sisters, Mary Voiles and Lora Voiles; his grandchildren, Star Guffey, Briana (Miguel) Guffey, Triston Guffey; his great-grandchild, Abazyah Guffey; his nieces, Nikki Voiles and Marlene Wyatt; his nephew, Wayne Voiles; several great-nieces and -nephews; two great-great-nieces and one great-great-nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Edmonds; his sister, Eva Edmonds and nephew, Tim Wyatt.
A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the Greensburg Apostolic Fellowship Hall, 628 W. Hendricks St., Greensburg, Ind., 47240. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Gene’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Beulah A. Bullock, 94, of Fairland, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at her residence. She was born March 6, 1931, in Stab, Ky., to William Virgil Adkins and Sarah Lena (Wells) Adkins.
Beulah was a homemaker. She was a member of Fairland Baptist Church for many years. She loved cooking and baking for the church and especially for her family. Beulah was always willing and ready to take trips with her family and loved to travel. She also had a passion for sewing and gardening.
She married Ray Gilbert Bullock on July 1, 1950, and he preceded her in death on March 26, 1974. She is survived by her sons, William (wife, Helen) Bullock, Larry Bullock, Kenny Bullock and Timothy (wife, Tammy) Bullock; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and her brother, Buell (wife, Phyllis) Adkins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sons, James F. Bullock, Bobby L. Bullock and Tony Bullock; her sisters, Gracie Whitaker and Sylvia Boggs; her brothers, William Adkins, James Adkins, Victor Adkins, Sherman Adkins, Lawrence Adkins, Charlie Adkins and Shelby Lee Adkins; her grandchildren, Emily Bullock and Shane Bullock and her great-granddaughter, Gracie Bullock.
Visitation will be Monday, April 28, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Joe Miller officiating. Burial will be in Fairland Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Beulah’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.