Friday, June 14, 2024
FLAG DAY 2024
photo by JACK BOYCE
EASY AS PIE
Ellie Gosser, 1st Runner-up Shelby County Fair queen, receives one of 10 consecutive pies-in-the-face from Jacob Harker, with the encouragement of Carter Snepp, in a fundraiser following the Royal event. | photo by ANNA TUNGATE
County BZA Approves Petitions in Marathon Session
The Shelby County Board of Zoning Appeals gave green lights to three local businesses looking to expand and approved another petition in a nearly three-hour meeting on Tuesday.
The board approved variances for Barnyard Party Pals to host a petting zoo on nearly 10 acres at 8437 N 25 W, Fountaintown. The agritourism company, started by Luke Schonfeld over a decade ago, is already located on the residential property but is looking to host groups on an appointment-only basis.
“I’m 26 years old, and I’ve had animals there ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper,” Schonfeld told the board.
Some of those animals include porcupines, miniature donkeys, lemurs, small alligators, camels and more, but none that are designed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as “dangerous.”
“I don’t want no lions, no tigers, no bears,” Schonfeld said.
The company holds a USDA Exhibitor license allowing for up to 50 animals - and currently owns 26 mammals - but still needed to be in compliance with zoning laws.
One neighbor expressed concerns about the business expansion interfering with the area’s quiet, rural setting. Another neighbor said she wished Schonfeld would have received proper zoning before starting the business. She said she supported the current mobile business approach but asked that groups not be hosted on site.
Several people spoke in support of the business, including Megan Platt with Shelby County Farm Bureau and Shelby County Tourism and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Rachael Ackley.
“Agritourism is a very important entity in Shelby County, and it's going to continue to grow, and it's something that we, as the Visitors Bureau, support wholeheartedly,” Ackley said.
Melissa Butor and a man who identified himself to the board as “Amazon John” (John Cusson), owners and operators of Silly Safaris, also spoke in support of the petition, and defended the “zoo to you” concept.
The board unanimously approved, with stipulations, that Barnyard Party Pals could keep exotic animals, which the county planning staff had recommended approval. The board then voted 3-1 to allow the company to keep more than one farm animal unit per two fenced acres. Kevin Carson, Megan Hart and Terry Knudson voted in favor; Dave Klene opposed. The approval included stipulations. The county planning staff had recommended denial of the use variance, expressing concerns about the traffic, gravel parking area and signage conflicting with the residential-zoned area, and had recommended denial of allowing the company to keep more animals than permitted on the property.
The BZA also approved SOS Hauling, owned by Nathan Stickford, a use and development standards variance to move his construction and hauling business to 4842 N. Brandywine Road, Shelbyville, zoned residential. Stickford proposed paving a driveway from East Michigan Road and a paved employee parking area. There will be no alterations to existing buildings. The company operates 21 trucks and employs 24.
The I-74 corridor already has several businesses in the vicinity, and the company’s drivers will leave early in the morning and return in the evening, with minimal foot traffic at the base, Stickford noted. Although the property was used for horse trailer sales for many years, county planning staff expressed concern about the surrounding residential development and the property’s designation as a floodplain.
The BZA approved the petition, 3-1, with stipulations, including the installation of a two-foot berm plus landscaping. Carson was the lone “no” vote.
The board also approved Spencer Andrews, 10352 N 400 W, Fountaintown, variances to allow storage of up to four small trailers at a time to be repaired and sold on his property. The enclosed trailers are the type that store construction materials, and Andrews may rent some trailers out to contractors. The trailers are to be stored behind the existing barn, according to the unanimous approval with stipulations.
Another petition under consideration illustrated why Desiree Calderella, county planning director, is not a fan of shared driveways. Petitioner Lewis Palmeter, 8014 S 600 W, Edinburgh, received permission to allow for two new residential driveways located 60 feet apart and not aligned with an existing driveway on the opposite side on a collector road, a road designed as having a higher traffic volume than local roads.
Palmeter owns two parcels without road frontage, one which includes a single-family home and the other a vacant lot. A shared driveway with the adjacent property owner to the south, however, has been the source of disagreement over driveway use and maintenance.
In-line with the county planning staff’s recommendation, the board unanimously approved the petition, also issuing a 12-month deadline for the first driveway to be installed from the time the new survey is filed. There was no timeline associated with the second, future driveway.
NOTEBOOK:
Shelby County Recycling District is hosting a free tire disposal event, Saturday, June 29, 7:30 - 11 a.m., 1316 N. Michigan Road, Shelbyville, thanks to an IDEM grant. All sizes accepted, on and off the rim. The event is for Shelby County residents only.
Business remains strong at Indianapolis Horseshoe Casino in Shelbyville. The casino reported $24.4 million in Taxable Adjusted Gross Revenue last month, up from the $23.8 million reported in April and on par with the $24.5 million reported May 2023.
Avery Everhart claimed the Shelby County Royal championship at the Shelby County Fair on Wednesday. Ella Koch was the scholarship winner. Hannah Bridges, Deacon DeWitt and Maryn Sprinkle were also contestants in the showmanship contest, in which participants are determined at the previous year’s county fair. (Event photo below by Anna Tungate.)
The Shelbyville High School Class of 1979’s 45th reunion is coming soon! Join your classmates for a special evening of reconnecting with friends at the beautiful Roan Farm, July 20, 2024, from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Enjoy a laid-back evening with great food courtesy of the Kopper Kettle, 70s music and a cash bar. The cost is $40 per person. Deadline to purchase tickets is July 6, 2024. Details can be found at:
https://myevent.com/shsclassof79-reunion45. If you would prefer to pay by check, please mail to: SHS Class of 79, c/o Jennifer McNally, 21 N. Walnut St, Shelbyville, IN, 46176.
NATIONAL NEWS: A new report from the World Shipping Council commends the global shipping fleet for notching an all-time low in lost containers, with just 221 out of 250 million containers transported lost at sea, a huge improvement from the previous low of 661 containers. Furthermore, a third of those containers that went overboard were even recovered. As recently as 2020, almost 4,000 containers were lost at sea. One thing helping was the relatively successful year for ships without major losses, as a single major incident can be responsible for thousands of lost containers, like when the MOL Comfort lost 4,293 containers in 2013. (gCaptain/Numlock)
The Addison Times publishes essential news and historical content to build our Shelby County community, and is free thanks to the generosity of supporters. Those who donate a minimum of $5 a month (or $45 one-time) receive the three remaining quarterly Addison Times magazines for 2024 as an appreciation gift.
Want the daily edition read to you? Struggling with your email provider filtering out your local news? The Addison Times Substack app will solve those challenges!
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 from the Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department.
2014: Congressman Luke Messer honored 8th grade students throughout the district for academic achievement in the recent school year at an 8th Grade Scholar event. Shelby County students recognized included Shelbyville Middle School students Kyleigh Lay, Collin Scott, Bryce Asher and Heather Hoffmeyer, and Southwestern students Noah Swift and Emerson Wendling.
2004: Shelby Eastern Schools purchased property near Morristown Elementary School. Three commercial tenants - a video rental store, a flower shop and a beauty salon - were located on the property. School officials said the purchase was with the long-term goal of having the adjacent land.
1994: The Blue River Antique Power Association hosted a tractor show at the fairgrounds. One of the highlights was Denny Alyea’s 1923 engine, which powered a sorghum mill during the show.
1984: A storm front moved through Shelby County, causing power outages for 2,000 people, downed trees and heavy damage to some homes. A window air conditioner at Coulston Elementary was struck by lightning. However, the half-inch of rain provided much needed moisture for farmers’ crops, and temperatures dropped to more comfortable levels following a heat wave.
The Denim Mill, downtown Shelbyville, offered a Father’s Day sale on Levi’s jeans, advertised as for “the ‘basic’ father.”
1974: The Hoxie Bros. Circus, featuring 18 acts, came to the fairgrounds. Myrtle the elephant was the star attraction. The circus was sponsored by the Shelbyville Jaycees.
The ornate clock near the top of the old Major-Fleming building in the northwest corner of Shelbyville’s Public Square was running again after being stilled for a period of more than 30 years. The clock had been incorporated into the architectural plan of the building, completed in 1881. According to Dr. R.A. Major, the clock ran until a short time after he sold the building in 1940. Dr. R.M. Fleming operated his optometrist’s office on the ground floor of the building for several years. Dean Fleming was the owner in 1974, and he had the clock restored.
1964: Exterior work was completed on the Apacheon Sales and Service building, located on East Michigan Road just west of the Waldron Road. Trailers and campers would be stored in the large garage area.
1954: A heat wave led to the season’s attendance record at Porter Pool, with 950 admitted during six hours of operation, Pool Manager Louis Kuhn reported. The season’s daily average was 720. Mrs. Hotopp and five lifeguards were in charge of swimming classes for the year.
A record 51 players turned out for the season’s first golfers’ breakfast Sunday at the Elks Blue River Country Club. The winning team was composed of William Brockman, Riley Keaton, Fred Lucas and Paul Ballard. Players on other top teams were Robert Howard, Dr. A.M. White, Hugh English, Paul Sirkus, Merle Glasco, Dave Kelley, Phil Kelley, Oren Titus, Norm Richard, Willis Williams and Ed Vancleve.
1944: A contingency of Shelby County soldiers were inducted into Navy service. They were Wayne Kelso, Elbert Messmore, Dale Banker, Russell Vanosdol Jr., James Bryant, Paul Hill, Dwight Wortman, Walter Perry, Robert Slifer, Gene Spurlin, Kenneth Harvewood, Frank Cox, Louis Tillison and Robert Moore.
1934: Three Washington township residents - Lewis, Murry and Herschel Blades, were named defendants in a damage suit for $7,000 because some cattle belonging to them walked across a road into the path of a motorcycle. Verney Stader and Clarence Hawkins, who had been riding on the same motorcycle, had been injured near Flat Rock when five cattle ran from the north side of the road into their motorcycle. Stader said the injury made him incapable of earning a livelihood, and charged the defendants with negligence for allowing their cattle to wander onto the highway.
A 30-year-old Indianapolis woman was chased down by Claude Breeden, assistant manager of the J.C. Penney store, and local police, after she stole a dress. The woman was placed in jail while Prosecutor Emerson Brunner reviewed the matter.
1924: The American Legion announced plans to place a flag staff downtown in the sidewalk near the curb every 25 feet. Each flag would be 12 feet high. The flag sockets could also be used for Christmas trees in December.
“Boys and girls of the city, with extra nickels and a desire to celebrate early, are starting in on their Fourth of July noise making,” The Republican reported.
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. grocery store held its grand opening in the Strand Theatre building. The A&P had over 10,000 stores in the U.S.
1914: Dewey Wiley, 15, 235 East Jackson St., was arrested and charged with stealing chickens. Dewey had been found in the hen house behind the Smith home on North Vine Street. Police arrived to find Mr. Smith in his back yard “with a large shot-gun in his hands and a determined look on his face that boded ill for the burglar in the hen house,” the Republican said. Wiley confessed to stealing Smith’s chickens multiple times and selling them to Samuel Robinson on East Jackson St.
OBITUARIES
Irene (Baldwin) Wilkins, age 99, of Fountaintown, passed away peacefully in her home on June 11, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 11, 1925, in Terre Haute, the daughter of Edward “Ted” and Letha (Russell) Baldwin. They moved to St. Paul where her father taught school and served as principal. Irene shared many wonderful memories of growing up and playing with her younger brother, Bill. She graduated from Moral Township High School, and it was there she met a handsome young man who became the love of her life. On June 23, 1943, she married Ray R. Wilkins and they were married for 73 wonderful years. He preceded her in death on April 28, 2017, at the age of 96.
Ray was a farmer and Irene loved helping him on the farm. She loved her community, neighbors, church family and friends and held them close to her heart, praying daily for those who were sick or struggling. She volunteered for Scuffy, drove cancer patients to their appointments, and made hundreds of tiny baby clothes and blankets for preemie babies. Irene was formerly a member of the Carrollton United Methodist Church, and later became a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church. She was always very active in her church and helped organize and facilitate many church functions over the years, as well as teaching Sunday school classes. She enjoyed crocheting, working crossword puzzles, bowling, playing cards and square dancing.
Irene was extremely generous, very loving, empathetic and selfless; always putting Jesus and her devotions first in her day. She was of such strong character and a faithful teacher of life to us all. She was a devoted Mother who taught her three daughters the love for music, animals and life on the farm. She is the heart and soul of our entire family, and we all love and adore her very much. She will be greatly missed and cherished in our hearts forever.
Irene is survived by her daughters, Judy Lynn Pauls and husband, Jerry, of Wanamaker, and Joy Luan Henson of Fishers; grandchildren, Tony Ray Titus and wife, Teresa, Leigh Ann Smith and husband, Kerry, Ricky Jay Henson and wife, Marie, and Lori Lynn Shelton; great-grandchildren, Desiree, Levi, TJ, Joe, Riley, Walker, Braeden, Branson, Danielle, Allison, Taylor, Andrea, Jeannette, Joe, Seth, Cash, Katie and Julia; several great-great-grandchildren; niece, Leslie Baldwin of Florida; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to Ray, Irene was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Janet Lee Wilkins Titus; brother, Dr. William Baldwin and his wife, Honey; grandson, Stephen Ray Henson; and niece, Linda Baldwin Smith.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at Pleasant View Baptist Church, 12442 Southeastern Avenue, in Acton. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m., Wednesday, at the church, with Pastor Mark Kern officiating.Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.Memorial contributions may be made to SCUFFY, 126 N. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176; Pleasant View Baptist Church, 12442 Southeastern Avenue, Acton, Indiana 46259, Shelbyville-Shelby County Animal Shelter, 705 Hale Road, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176; or Cure JM, PO Box 45768, Baltimore, Maryland, 21297.Online condolences may be shared with Irene’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Thomas William "Tom" Smothers, 58, of Shelbyville, passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at his residence. Born March 10, 1966, in Shelbyville, he was the son of John B. "JB" Smothers and Bobbi Jean (Johnson) Smothers. He married Shelley (Stanton-Glidden) Smothers on September 1, 2018, and she survives. Other survivors include his mother, Bobbi Jean Smothers of Shelbyville; two children, Tyler Smothers (Kylie) of New Palestine and Haley Davis of Shelbyville; four step-children, Kay Ann Hurst (Cody) of Manilla, Grant Glidden (Ashley) of Shelbyville, Nathan Glidden (fiance Erin) of Plainfield, and Natalie Glidden (fiance Bradley) of Shelbyville; five siblings, Ruth Collins (Kevin) of New Palestine, Waunita Smothers (Michael) of St. Augustine, Fl, Darrin Smothers (Alesa) of Princess Lakes, adopted brother Levi Childers of Fairland, adopted sister Olivia Piatt of Franklin; eight grandchildren, Alexis Davis, Lillian Davis, Ellie Smothers, Zayne Smothers, Emmie Smothers, Kendall Hurst, Kellen Hurst, and Claire Glidden. He was preceded in death by his father and brother Johnny Smothers.
Tom had lived in this area his entire lifetime and graduated from Southwestern High School in 1984. He attended Geneva Methodist Church and was a US Army veteran. Tom was a store manager for AE Ammo of Greenwood for two years. Tom enjoyed nature, birds, golfing, traveling, cooking, guns and ammo, and dearly loved his family, friends and grandchildren. He was known for his delicious pies, he was the life of the party, and never met a stranger.
Friends may call on Monday evening, June 17, from 4-8 p.m., at the funeral home. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Rev. Mark Dodd officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by the American Legion. Memorial contributions can be made to Donor's charity of choice. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.