Monday, June 30, 2025
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PRECISION WORK
This drone shot shows the precision work involved in demolishing the former Adams Glass Building, which abuts the Strand Annex building. | photo by JOHN WALKER
Bob Schlick Turns 90: The Strand’s ‘Antique’ Still Going Strong
Bob Schlick, seated center, received a surprise 90th birthday celebration at The Strand Theatre on Saturday. The long-time Strand volunteer is surrounded by (front row) Isabel Mexin, Ona Mexin, Isaac Mexin and Barb Groves; (second row) Rebecca Mexin, Melissa Ross, Bill Winslow and Paula Shields; and (back row) Ron Bush, Dave Simpson, Rhonda Schwegman and Steve Frazee. | photo by ANNA TUNGATE
For nearly two decades, Bob Schlick has been a constant, quiet presence behind the scenes at The Strand Theatre—patching, wiring, restoring, and rebuilding just about anything that needed fixing. And now, at age 90, the man affectionately dubbed “the antique who takes care of our antiques” is still showing up, tool belt in tow.
“He first walked up to our table at a volunteer fair nearly 20 years ago,” recalled Steve Frazee, one of The Strand’s directors. “He wore suspenders, work pants and had that classic, ‘I’ll pitch in wherever you need me’ attitude. That’s exactly what he did, and still does.”
Schlick showed up just as The Strand was transitioning into its current structure as a volunteer-run community performing arts venue. His background in HVAC and old mechanical systems quickly proved invaluable. Much of The Strand’s equipment dated back to an era modern technicians rarely encounter. But Bob? “He’d worked on furnaces and systems older than some of our volunteers,” Frazee said. “He just knew how to make things work.”
From mending aging heating and cooling systems to crafting custom woodwork, such as a lighted display case for a donated stained-glass piece, Schlick’s handiwork is woven into the building’s every corner. He also built a box to backlight a stained glass work. “It’s stunning. And he ran all the wiring, too,” Frazee said.
More recently, Schlick and his son-in-law took on the installation of a new digital projection ventilation system, part of The Strand’s effort to show newer, digital films. “This system gets us in line with other movie theaters across the country,” Frazee explained.
Through it all, Schlick has stayed humble, quietly solving problems while the spotlight shines on stage. “He’s just been a fixture,” Frazee said. “He doesn’t need recognition. He just wants to help.”
This Wednesday, 7 p.m., the 38th Infantry Band, the only military band in Indiana, will perform a free concert at The Strand.
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NOTEBOOK:
The 31st running of the Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville is set for Saturday, July 5, with the first post time at noon. Track officials promote the family-friendly atmosphere with an outdoor playground, free parking and numerous food and drink options.
The free Joseph Boggs Society Museum in Boggstown will be open Sunday, July 6, 1 - 4 p.m.
HOOSIER NEWS: Over 700 four-year colleges nationwide were weighed across factors including the quality of their education, affordability, alumni employment and graduate earnings. Colleges could receive between 2 and 5 stars. The University of Notre Dame was Indiana’s one five-star school. There were four 4.5-star schools, including Wabash, Purdue, IU-Bloomington and DePauw. (Money)
NATIONAL NEWS: Globally, among adults who were raised in a religion, 91 percent of respondents remained within their broad religious category (e.g., Christians remaining Christians, Buddhists remaining Buddhists) while just 3 percent switched to another religious category at some point during their adulthood. However, 6 percent became disaffiliated with any religion entirely. Among those religiously affiliated, 99 percent of Hindus and 99 percent of Muslims remained Hindus and Muslims, respectively. Among Christians, only 83 percent kept the faith, with 2 percent switching religions and 15 percent dropping out entirely. That level of disaffection was surpassed only among Buddhists, who saw 19 percent of respondents disaffiliate. Among those raised religiously unaffiliated, just 7 percent joined a religion. (Pew Research Center/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
October 1952, Part I
The classes of 1949 and 1953 purchased a new scoreboard for the athletic field. It had cost $1,350 ($16,000 in today’s money) and was made in Kansas.
Senior class officers were elected: Jim Plymate, president; Byron Toll, vice-president; and Barbara Brunner, secretary-treasurer. There had been a tie for president, and a run-off election had been held between Bill Barnard and Plymate.
Bill “Bumpy” Brown was elected president of Hi-Y, with Kenny Ewick and Larry Porter joining him as officers.
With SHS enrollment at 617, some classes were on overflow status. However, the addition of arm chairs to junior history and English and freshmen math meant the “standing room only signs” were no longer applicable in some places.
Brownie, a neighborhood collie, had been roaming the school. “He investigated the surroundings of Mr. Thompson’s home room Tuesday morning, and we are sure he has been in most classrooms the last three weeks.”
There were 310 boys and 307 girls enrolled at SHS. “Are there any three girls in high school who would like to join the WAC’s…?” The Courier asked. “Maybe there is a Don Juan in high school who would like to have two or three girlfriends.”
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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: The Shelbyville Knights of Pythias presented a $190,833 trust fund check to the Major Hospital Foundation. The gift was made by the state KOP from funds established by the local Knights in the 1970s. As membership in the KOP had dwindled during that decade, the remaining members sold their lodge at 35 Public Square and used the proceeds of the sale to set up the trust fund. The fund had paid death benefits to the widows or families of men who still belonged to the club when they died. After all members had passed, the remaining funds were donated to the MHP Foundation, as stipulated in the original arrangement. MHP Foundation officials who accepted the check on behalf of the not-for-profit were Michelle Kramer, Sharon Kiefer, Kim Mohr, Mike Vaught, Bill Doig and Tony Lennen.
1995: The Shelbyville Central Schools board approved hiring Mary Jo Zajeski to succeed Bertie Cranford, who had retired. Jennifer Stamm was hired to teach business at SHS, succeeding Scott Olinger, who had been promoted to assistant principal. Karen Towell was hired to teach economics and world history, replacing Fredina Crowe. The board also approved the installation of acoustical panels in the cafeteria at Coulston. The cafeteria was excessively loud because it was a converted gym.
1985: The Pitts Kitchen Band performed old-time favorites at the Belaire Shopping Center. The center was hosting its old-fashioned celebration, which also included a gospel sing.
1975: Room rates at W.S. Major Hospital went to $140 for intensive care; $85 for private rooms; $60 for semi-private rooms; and $55.50 for the three-bed ward. The hospital had 52 private rooms, 25 semi-private two-bed rooms and the single three-bed ward.
1965: Robert W. “Bill” Doig, 13-year veteran of the Waldron High School faculty, was appointed principal at Waldron High School. Ralph Mull, another long-time faculty member, was appointed athletic director.
An era ended when Shelbyville Post Office staff made the last train dispatch of mail. The NYC’s James Whitcomb Riley accepted the last pouches of mail from Elmo Cole, Robert Meltzer and Edmund VanCleve. Moving forward, all outgoing mail would be shipped by truck, a far cry from the day when was many as 14 trains picked up mail and passengers in Shelbyville.
1955: Work began on a two-room addition to the Thomas Hendricks School. E.H. Johnson & Sons, Robert Stadtmiller and Kanouse Electric Co. were the selected contractors for the project.
Dr. John Alden, 30, was hired to practice at the Inlow Clinic. Dr. Alden had graduated from Tufts University Medical School. He and his wife had moved into 112 W. Mechanic St.
1945: Pharmacist Mate Jess Linville Jr., native of Shelby County, was killed in the sinking of a Japanese prison transport off the coast of China. He had been a prisoner of the Japanese since the fall of Corregidor in 1942. He had graduated from Waldron High School.
J.G. DePrez held a 4th of July sale, which includes sales on toy tommy guns, machine guns, goon guns, pop pistols, bow and arrow sets and Australian boomerangs.
1935: Two men were arrested for panhandling in Shelbyville’s business district. Both were ordered out of the city and were told not to return here. One had been arrested before for selling narcotics.
1925: Chickenpox was sweeping through the city. “This is the first time that Shelbyville has been infected with this disease for several months,” The Republican said.
1915: The Republican reported details of a riot. Fifteen men and a boy had been arrested for attempting to retrieve custody of a man who had been arrested at a downtown tavern. The 15 were arrested “quietly” the next day, the paper said. The men were placed downstairs in the jail. The 17-year-old was placed upstairs.
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OBITUARIES
None today.