Friday, May 3, 2024
SOUND OF MUSIC
Local musician Nick Fischer plays at last night’s pop-up concert on Public Square. | photo by JACK BOYCE
MHP: Heartfelt Farewell to Horner on His Retirement; Claxton Named Successor
submitted
It is with heartfelt emotion that Major Health Partners (MHP) announces the retirement of our esteemed leader, Jack Horner, effective March 2025. For 16 remarkable years, Jack has guided our organization with unwavering dedication and vision. We extend our warmest congratulations to Jack as he embarks on the next chapter of his journey.
“Under Jack's guidance as President and CEO, MHP has flourished into a beacon of healthcare excellence in central Indiana,” says Jan Sandman, MHP Board Chairperson. “Throughout his storied 40-year career at MHP, Jack’s leadership has propelled us to new heights of success and innovation. From pioneering initiatives to fostering a culture of collaboration and compassion, Jack's impact on our community and organization is immeasurable.”
Jack’s legacy is one of selflessness and humility. Despite his numerous accomplishments, he has always deflected praise onto our dedicated team of physicians, nurses, and staff. “His leadership has not only shaped MHP but has also left an indelible mark on the healthcare landscape of Shelby County,” Sandman said.
From navigating the challenges of a worldwide pandemic to spearheading critical projects such as building our new medical center, implementing a unified EHR platform, and building a community health and wellness center, Jack's leadership has been nothing short of exemplary. His driven innovation was instrumental in establishing new service lines such as Nephrology, Dialysis, Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Rheumatology, Urogynecology, and Psychology, to name a few. Under his guidance, MHP has continually been recognized as a Top 100 Hospital and maintains top quartile status among community hospitals for quality, safety, and patient satisfaction. Jack's strategic vision ensures MHP's industry leadership while optimizing investments for long-term sustainability. His impact extends beyond accolades; Jack's dedication earned him the 2020 Distinguished Service Award from the Indiana Hospital Association. Through relentless pursuit of excellence, Jack has positioned MHP to continue our ability to fulfill our mission and reinforce the value we deliver for our community.
“We express our deepest gratitude for his unwavering commitment and passion,” Sandman said. “The Major Health Partners Board of Directors is immensely grateful for Jack's guidance and leadership, which have made our jobs both easier and more fulfilling.”
In conjunction with this announcement, we are thrilled to announce the MHP Board’s full support for Ryan Claxton, who will assume the role of President starting June 1, 2024. Jack will continue to serve as CEO until March 31, 2025, at which point Claxton will seamlessly transition into the role of President and CEO, ensuring the continued success and prosperity of Major Health Partners.
Please join us in celebrating Jack's remarkable career. His legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come.
Community Treasure Series Reviews Library History
Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Director Donna Dennison presents in the Community Treasure Series at The Strand Theatre on Wednesday. | photo by ANNA TUNGATE
The Community Treasure Series returned this week at The Strand Theatre with a history of local libraries delivered by Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Director Donna Dennison.
Shelbyville’s founders understood the value of libraries, allocating 10 percent of all lot sale proceeds to the cause. In 1825, a seven-member library board was appointed and the first librarian hired in 1826.
“The library was housed in any dry location they could find, which included the top of a tavern, down on Public Square, and other locations,” Dennison said.
That iteration of the library was open, for a quarter, to all county residents, who could check out one book at a time for up to two months.
Later, two community groups formed an 800-book library in the seminary school, a precursor to the high school located on East Franklin Street, where Charles Major Elementary was later built. But in 1865, the entire collection was destroyed by fire.
Between 1870 and 1896, there was no official library, but reading rooms were housed throughout the city.
“Several churches also had reading rooms and libraries, but those were limited to members of the congregation,” Dennison said.
When the new high school, now the Blue River Community Foundation building, 54 West Broadway, was built in 1896, a 1,000-book library was included. Four local men then started a drive to fund a standalone building, and wrote to steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie asking for $50,000. Carnegie, who eventually gave to 2,509 libraries worldwide, gifted Shelbyville $20,000. (He also donated funds for the organ at St. Joseph Catholic Church, which is still in use.)
Land across the street, 57 West Broadway, was purchased in 1902 and the cornerstone was laid in August in front of hundreds. Among 47 items included in a tin box in the cornerstone were money and newspapers.
“There is also a complete list of all the children in the Gordon’s Children Home,” Dennison said. “The kids were there to see their names put in.”
The new library opened June 3, 1903, with 1,000 books and two employees.
Many notable events occurred in the library, including the elopement of Robert and Goldie (Wilson) Wright.
“They desperately wanted to get married, but their families were against it,” Dennison said. “Theirs was the first wedding in the library.”
Over the years, the library and its offerings expanded. Today, the library sits on 10 city lots, has 32 employees and, as of last count, features 9,732 items, including books, audiobooks and even “library things,” such as a cake pan collection for check-out. Patrons also enjoy three computer labs, free wifi, meeting rooms and an outdoor plaza.
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Business and Professional Women’s Club is calling for applications for two scholarships: the Career Advancement Scholarship, presented to an individual wishing to further their education or future goals, or changing careers and must have completed one semester term and have a C average or better, and Women Helping Women, presented to an individual reentering the workforce, changing careers or is a displaced worker, and must be 30 years of age or older and have completed one semester term and have a C average or better. For more information or an application, contact Etheleen Swango, 317-512-9956.
The Shelby County Recycle Center and Transfer Station will be closed May 6, 7, and 8 to complete asphalt work at the Complex. Pending weather and completion of the job, the Center will reopen May 9. The reopening will be announced on Facebook and media outlets.
The first unified softball game featuring the Shelbyville High School Life Skills Special Education classes and the SHS baseball team, will be Saturday, May 4, 7 p.m., at Babe Ruth Baseball Park on Sunset Park Dr.
“Harry Potter” - The Complete Saga of films will show in installments starting Tuesday, May 7, at The Strand Theatre, and continuing each Tuesday for eight weeks. See the schedule and details here.
NATIONAL NEWS: Rental car behemoth Hertz announced it will sell an additional 10,000 of its electric vehicles from its existing fleet, on top of the initial intention to sell 20,000 electric models. It has been a complicated time at Hertz, as the high maintenance costs and depreciation of its EVs have resulted in a $392 million loss in the first quarter on revenues of $2.1 billion. The original plan was to buy 100,000 Tesla cars on the rental car industry’s rebound following the worst of the pandemic. (Autoweek/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 $60 one-time) receive an exclusive quarterly Addison Times magazine 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
2014: Brenda (Kelsay) Simmons was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of fame. She was Shelbyville High School’s career scoring leader and its first Indiana All-Star. She earned a full-ride athletic scholarship to Purdue University. Simmons then returned to her alma mater and taught math for 13 years and coached the girls basketball program for 10 before becoming an assistant coach at Columbus North. In 2000, she and her husband opened Simmons Winery.
2004: Waldron Junior-Senior High School prom court members were Kurt Mink, Jennifer Horine, Ryan Wallace, Anna Verseman, Megan Turner, Jason Lemmons, Melissa Procell, Riley Blake, Debbie Wisker and Todd McDonald.
A Jubilee Mass was held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church to celebrate Father Paul Landwerlen’s 50 years in the priesthood. He said the greatest change in his ministry had been Vatican II, which permitted Masses in English and called on priests to face the congregation, rather than the altar.
1994: Kenneth Nigh, 62, longtime Republican officeholder who had been on the primary election ballot as a delegate for the following day’s election, died after becoming ill at home. Nigh had been the first person in at least 40 years to be elected to a Shelby County Commissioner post for three consecutive terms. He had been instrumental in laying the groundwork and approving plans for construction of the new Criminal Justice Center.
Waldron Elementary fourth grade students in Joe Ice’s class signed a pledge to do without television, including video games, for a week as they studied early Indiana history. To further illustrate the matter, Mr. Ice dropped a concrete block on a television set as students watched on the school’s playground. After the TV was broken, each member of the fourth grade took turns smashing it with a baseball bat.
1984: Several hundred Triton Junior High School students, parents and teachers culminated a study of life along the river with a trip on the Ohio River on the “Belle of Louisville.”
1974: The Davis Insurance team captured top honors in the Shelby County Women’s Bowling Association tourney. The team members were Mrs. Hebbe, Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Shelton, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Kehrt.
Cristi Orem was crowned queen of the 51st annual Shelbyville High School May Festival. J. Thomas Wilkinson was Lord Mayor. Others in the court were Connie Walton, Kevin McKenney, Jayne Agler, John Stieglitz, Gina Alvis, John Coffin, Becky Jones and David Oeffinger.
1964: Members of the Booker T. Washington Rec Center held a successful fundraising event to support their summer camp trip. Carol Byrd, Chi Chi Giden and Mattie Roberson gave a rendition of the Beatles. Toni Brown, Roland Macklin and Patricia Smith did tap dance numbers. Mrs. Thelma Brown directed the program. Libby Brown gave a solo; Sissy Brown, Phyllis Palmer, Peggy Henderson and Diane Carter presenting a twirling act; and Floyd Childs Jr. and Jeanene Huggins gave a comedy skit entitled “String Beans and Susie.”
After many years of planning, construction was underway on an educational building adjancent to the West Street Methodist Church.
1954: Robert Walts and Sons completed a new office and millwork building at the west edge of the city on Hale St., just off W. Washington St. The Walts firm moved its office from 15 Maple St. to the new building.
The SHS May Queen’s Court was announced: Susan Kolkmeier, Jim Law, Lois Lemmon, Bill Tichenor, Carolyn Davies, Dick Bishopp, Mary Kay Lux, Bill Hart, Karlene English, Phil Brown, Nancy Taylor, Marge Clay, Bill Kremer and Lord Mayor John Kehoe.
1944: The annual May Court dance, which had become tradition, would be held following the May Festival at the Armory, school officials announced. The Festival at Paul Cross Gymnasium was expected to end by 10 p.m. and the dance would last until 2 a.m. Members of the dance committee were Hugh Colvin, John Vandiver, Wilbur Disser, Bob Louden, Gene Sexton, Robert Thomas and Frank Hammond.
1934: Olin Kinnaman, manager of the local Kroger store on Public Square, announced plans to celebrate the company’s 52nd anniversary. Gifts for customers, special sales and a “large corps of pretty girls, dressed in white flying outfits” who would act as hosts as part of the festivities.
1924: “Tacky Day” was observed by the junior and senior class at Shelbyville High School. Freshmen and sophomores were not permitted to participate. The tradition had lasted at the school for several years. Juniors and seniors came to school in various costumes depicting infants, “a fast-fading flower” and even “vamps of the movies,” The Republican said. During the day, senior students received their commencement announcements, which they would later mail to friends and relatives.
1914: The First M.E. Church received 58 new members and baptized 37 on “Family Sitting Day.” The church was filled at both services.
OBITUARIES
David A. Richardson, 81, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, April 12, 2024 in Bokeelia, Florida. He was born December 16, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Helen (Bomfa) Richardson. David married Audrey Elaine Beabout, and she preceded him in death on February 20, 2014.
David is survived by his children, Sherri Oury and husband, David, of Columbus, Amity Schuyler and husband, Ron, of Memphis, Tennessee, and David Richardson and wife, Marnie, of Brandenburg, Kentucky; grandchildren, Christopher, Zachary, Michael and Colton; great-grandchildren, Jayden, Brody and Rylee. In addition to Audrey, David was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Maureen “Sugar” Losey.
David graduated from Shelbyville High School, he obtained his bachelors degree from the University of Cincinnati and his masters degree from Colorado State. He was a U.S. Army veteran. David enjoyed billiards and loved to play pool and snooker. He was a lifelong Shelbyville resident and Golden Bear.
Inurnment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with David’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Delores L. Bauers, 61, of Fairland, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at MHP Hospital. Born January 27, 1963 in Shelbyville, she was the daughter of Norman E. Parrott and Elizabeth M. Parrott. She married Gene Bauers on June 2, 1994, and he survives.
Other survivors include her husband, Gene; her mother, Elizabeth; stepdaughter, and Gina Bauers; sisters, Darlene Shaw (Mike) of Boggstown, Deena Hendricks (Terry) of Fountaintown, Dianne Carroll of Georgia, and Dixie Brendle (Michael) of Fountaintown; step-grandsons Dylan and Brenden Harris; 16 nieces and nephews, 22 great-nieces and nephews, and three great-great-nieces and -nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Norman, grandparents Bill and Altha Parrott and Vern and Dorothy King, sister Dona Drake, and brother Norman Bruce Parrott.
Delores had lived in this area her entire lifetime and graduated from Triton Central High School in 1981. She was employed with Triton Central Schools Cafeteria as a lunch lady, retiring from there. Delores was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church, and the NRA. Delores enjoyed camping and traveling and spending winters in Mississippi. She loved her family and the time she spent with them.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 11 a.m., at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Mark Kern officiating. Burial will be in London Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 4 - 7 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Diabetes Association or Pleasant View Baptist Church, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
That is actually Nick Fischer in the picture