Saturday, January 28, 2023
24 Hours in Addison Township: 8:16 a.m.
New Coulston Elementary Principal Nicole Terrell pauses from preparations for the coming school year in her office last summer. Terrell has worked in the district since the mid-1990s as a teacher and assistant principal. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Couple Carves Out Successful Business
Mike and Krista Bowlby show off one of their large law enforcement badge carvings.
by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Mike Bowlby got his first creative job when a hired sign maker decided to go shopping with his wife instead of painting the side of Charlie Bowlby’s oil company truck.
“Dad was not happy,” Mike recalls. “He said, ‘I don’t know what you need to do, but go figure out how to put my name on that truck.’”
He did, and that job led to a few other vehicle-painting assignments.
Decades later, including a 32-year career with the Shelby County Sheriff’s office, the last eight as county sheriff, Bowlby has returned to his roots, this time with intricate, digital wood and sign foam designs. His wife Krista, a teacher with Rush County Schools, has her own area for handcrafted creations such as earrings, which are sold online and at select gift shops.
The woodshop behind their home has the usual smell of sawdust and constant hum of carvers and sanders, as well as computer and printing equipment. It also features personal pieces the couple created, such as a bench and a window box similar to the one Mike remembers seeing at the home of his grandparents, Fred and Mable Gravely.
“When we were kids, they had our toys and stuff in there, so I built one for our grandkids,” Mike said.
The home on the property was built by Mike’s paternal great-grandparents around 1900. He and Krista have lived there since marrying in 1985. They built the woodshop in 2016.
Small law enforcement badges were one of the first hits of the fledgling company. “But people started asking for bigger stuff that I couldn’t get on the table,” Mike said.
The solution came just before a church service when he received a phone call about an available commercial digital wood-cutting machine at a good price. With the expanded capabilities, items such as 3-foot-tall badges are now part of the repertoire. The Bowlbys have even carved a giant wooden Ten Commandments commissioned by a church. The digital wood carver, which takes hours to complete a project, has earned them significant media attention, including Mike’s appearance in a professional video by the manufacturer.
Calling this a “retirement” job, though, is a stretch. Krista continues to teach, and Mike works full-time with Indiana Charity Gaming. They have three children, five grandchildren - including one on the way - who are five years old and younger.
NOTEBOOK:
Shelbyville High School sophomore Jeanette Wung travels to South Bend this weekend to present a costume design concept to judges at the Indiana State Thespian Conference. Wung was one of two students selected to represent Indiana at the International Thespian Festival in June at Indiana University-Bloomington.
The Fountaintown Community Volunteer Fire Department hosts a breakfast fundraiser tomorrow, 7 - 11 a.m., at the station, 141 East Brookville Road, Fountaintown. Free-will offerings will be accepted.
Editor’s note: I just learned that the Barnard farm home referenced in yesterday’s edition belonged to and was restored by Debra Tracy and her family from 1984 to 2018, when it was sold to Carey Nigh. The Tracys now live just across the field, where Debra can see her old home from her kitchen window. “I honestly miss our old house very much, but I know Carey will take care of it to help ensure the Barnard Farm survives for generations to come,” Tracy said.
HOOSIER NEWS: The Batesville Skatepark and Outdoor Adventure is completed and open to the public. “The design for the new Batesville skatepark is around 11,000 square feet,” Bart Smith, co-owner of Hunger Skateparks, said. “It’s a nice combination of transition and street with an emphasis on friendly beginner flow with the potential to grow. Ask anyone regionally what they know about Batesville, and they will likely say coffins because of the local coffin-building industry. Of course, that shape was included in the design in a few different places. I’m beyond excited to provide a meaningful space for people to stay active and be a part of a unique community.” The skatepark advocates are master planning the area and hope to add a bike-oriented pump track, rock-climbing boulder, and music area near the park. (Greensburg Daily News)
This Week in Shelby County" works by George L. Stubbs Sr. are owned by the Shelby County Historical Society (Grover Center) and used with permission.
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.
20 YEARS AGO: 2003
The Shelby Community Band celebrated its 30th anniversary. Carol and Maurice Finkel and Don Wickizer, all original members, were still with the band. That trio, along with Frank Beck and John Haehl, had recruited 25 members in 1973. Carol Finkel handled the administrative duties and Beck was the salesman for the group. Francis Chesser was band director. Some of the original members had not picked up their instruments since high school, others, like Carol Finkel, a graduate of the Indiana School of Music, had significant experience. A pianist, Finkel would sit at the keys during the first season and help Chesser show the band how the tunes were supposed to go. She later played the up-right bells and several other percussion instruments in the band.
30 YEARS AGO: 1993
One-fourth of Triton Central High School students were absent, most due to the flu. Absentee rates hovered between 15 and 20 percent at several other schools in the county.
A pack of matches and flammable material placed next to a compressor shed caused a small fire at Mr. T’s convenience store on Washington Street in Fairland.
40 YEARS AGO: 1983
The House Elections Committee approved a bill designed to make it easier to vote absentee, cosponsored by Rep. Stephen Moberly, R-Shelbyville. The bill would eliminate a requirement that absentee ballots have the signature of a notary public.
James E. Garrett Jr., 23, would be a candidate for the Fourth Ward council seat, then held by Jerry Higgins. Garrett graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1977 and Indiana State University in 1982.
50 YEARS AGO: 1973
With President Nixon’s announcement of the impending Vietnam ceasefire, a “Peace” window display featuring two white doves was painted on the front window of the B and R Flower Shop, 155 E. Mechanic St.
60 YEARS AGO: 1963
Temperatures had reached 23 degrees below zero, but weather officials said it was only the second coldest on record. They had discovered an old book that recorded a temperature of 24 degrees below zero in Shelbyville on December 11, 1917. Home thermometers in Waldron and Geneva were reporting 30 degrees below zero. Schools, however, were re-opened.
70 YEARS AGO: 1953
“The annoying reddish-brown color should disappear from the Shelbyville water system soon when the new filter tanks installed by the Indiana Gas and Water Co. get into full operation,” local officials said. The two tanks filtered iron deposits from the city’s water.
Young people at The Rec made plans to raise money for the March of Dimes campaign. Mary Janet Slifer was chairing a committee to sponsor a dance to be held at The Rec, 226 S. Harrison St. The 10-cent admission charge would go to the campaign.
80 YEARS AGO: 1943
Local women who had contributed 5,050 working hours collectively created 34,200 surgical dressing to the sent to the war front. The Inlow Clinic had donated space to be used for their efforts. Furniture in the room had been loaned by First Presbyterian, First Methodist, First Baptist and First Christian churches.
90 YEARS AGO: 1933
A police investigation revealed that approximately 50 dogs had been stolen from Shelby County and sold to the Indiana University School of Medicine at Indianapolis. The dogs were to have been used for experimental purposes by medical students. Police said a local man would soon be arrested for acting as an agent for the sales.
100 YEARS AGO: 1923
Odus Cochran, a farmer in Washington township, and his two sons, Roy and Ralph Cochran, were arrested and charged with violation of the prohibition law, after 20 gallons of moonshine and five gallons of malt had been found in a “blind” cellar in their home. They lived across the road from Ora Hunt, who had twice been arrested for violating the prohibition law.
INCIDENTS
Theft was reported in the 800 block of S. Tompkins St., Shelbyville.
JAIL BOOK-INS: Mary E. Clark, 57, failure to appear; Andrea L.R. Lambert, 28, failure to appear; Timothy L. Moffett, 54, failure to appear; Tanner W. Moss, 30, failure to appear, escape, house arrest violation, community corrections hold; Matthew B. Puckett, 51, possession of meth, marijuana, paraphernalia, hold for another jurisdiction, probation hold; Anthony J. Ray, 24, failure to appear; Dakota L. Sexton, 19, failure to appear; Ariel K.S. Smith, 23, dealing meth (2 counts); Alan S. Wickliff, 51, domestic battery, community corrections hold; Annie B. Engle, 61, probation violation;
OBITUARIES
Phyllis J. Rasche, 94, of Shelbyville, passed away, Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Waldron Health and Rehab in Waldron. She was born October 20, 1928, in Shelby County, the daughter of Herbert C. and Maud (Winkler) Kuhn. On September 10, 1950, she married Rev. Richard F. Rasche, and he preceded her in death on August 17, 1984.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Cantrell of Ft. Sumner, New Mexico; daughter-in-law, Peggy Rasche; granddaughters, Jaime Willis and husband, Brian, and Lindsey Rasche; and great-grandchildren, Nicholas Hill, Brianna Willis and Makayla Schutt. In addition to Richard, Phyllis was preceded in by her son, David Rasche; grandson, Michael Anthony Cantrell; son-in-law, Mike Cantrell; and brother, Eugene Kuhn.
Phyllis was a member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ. She was very active in the various churches she attended throughout her life. Being a minister’s wife, she served with her husband, in Shelbyville and Beech Grove, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky and Hamel, Illinois. Phyllis enjoyed everything from singing in the choir to helping prepare church dinners.
She was formerly a secretary at Heritage House of Shelbyville from 1967 to 1977. She also worked part-time, from 1984 until retiring in 1990, at Risley Kitchens. Phyllis volunteered at Major Hospital for numerous years.
Phyllis loved to travel and her travels took her on a cruise and trips to various locations throughout the United States. But she loved going to New Mexico to visit her daughter, Cheryl and her family. She enjoyed going to concerts and had been to see Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Phyllis also enjoyed playing cards, two of her favorite games were bid euchre and SkipBo.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at the Evangelical United Church of Christ, 2630 S. Miller St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with Pastor Charles Jordan officiating. Interment 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. Memorial contributions may be made to the Evangelical United Church of Christ. Online condolences may be shared with Phyllis’ family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Dovie J. Carpenter, 88, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday, January 26, 2023, at her home. She was born September 1, 1934, in Franklin County, the daughter of Wiley Haze and Janie Gladys (Carey) Priddy. On July 21, 1956, she married Charles F. Carpenter, and he preceded her in death on May 7, 2003.
Dovie is survived by her sons, Mike Carpenter and wife, Debbie, of Shelbyville, and Bruce Carpenter and wife, Vivian, of Monticello, Illinois; daughters, Carol Grant and husband, Michael, of Shelbyville, and Janet Harvey and husband, Ray, of Waldron; 12 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to Charles, Dovie was preceded in death by her sons, Mark Lloyd Carpenter and Ronald Ray Carpenter; brothers, William Priddy and Charles Priddy; and sisters, Della McPherson and Mary McFarland.
Dovie graduated in 1952 from Laurel High School. She formerly owned and operated Dovie’s Log Cabin in Laurel, from 1993 until retiring in 2003. Dovie was an excellent quilter. She began quilting at the age of 9 years old, with the scraps from her mother’s projects. Dovie went on to make quilts for all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for various events in their lives, such as newborns, graduations and weddings. She also sold some of her quilts and kept a log of whom they were sold to and where they went. She also enjoyed gardening, canning and crocheting. Dovie loved her family, she especially enjoyed being a grandmother.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the funeral home, with Rev. Michael Coyle officiating. Interment will be at Winchester Cemetery in Shelby County. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor’s choice of charity. Online condolences may be shared with Dovie’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
William Lee Heilman, 82, of Marietta passed away 5 January 2023 from lung cancer. A son of J. William F. Heilman and Dorotha L. (Phillippe) Heilman, he was born 30 September 1940 in Columbus.
He was employed early on at Cave Stone in Norristown, Chambers in Shelbyville and then several local and national trucking companies, running regional and cross country.
He is survived by children Gregory, Terri, Christy and Brian; niece Angela (Norman) Coffman and several more nieces and nephews; siblings Karen (Owen) Childres, Karl (Karen) Heilman, Kurt Heilman and his faithful dog, Chico. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sharon and children Richard and Dawn. Cremation burial will be at Hawcreek Cemetery with a private family gathering graveside.
A Brief History of Japan
A regular Addison Times reader recently wrote to me to say how he enjoyed when I wrote about Japanese history. He is a history buff, like me, and likes learning about different countries’ historical eras. Well, as a trained historian, he need not twist my rubber arm! I love writing about history, so here it goes! As expected, a history as long and as rich as Japan’s is difficult to summarize easily or quickly. In general terms, I can only mention highlights.
Japanese history, for the most part, is divided into “periods” that correspond to the time it occurred. One of the earliest periods that is recorded with artifacts is the Jomon Period (to around 300 BC). The people from this period were largely hunters, gatherers, and they fished extensively. The Yayoi Period occurred between 300 BC and 250 AD, and it was during this time that the harvesting of rice as a crop became widespread, which led to the development of organized communities.
Later periods began to see the introduction of political systems, and these were named after the area where they occurred. For example, the Nara Period (710-784 AD) established the first permanent capital in Japan, and Nara became the center for imperial and political power. Similarly, the Heian Period (794-1185 AD) moved the capital of Japan from Nara to Heian, which is the modern-day Kyoto and is known especially for advances in art, poetry and literature. It remained the capital for more than 1,000 years. The Kamakura Period (1192-1333) saw the formation of Zen Buddhism and great transformations in the areas of politics, society and culture; Eastern Buddhism was first introduced to Japan during the Asuka Period (538-710 AD).
Notably, the Muromachi Period (1336-1573 AD) featured trade with the Portuguese, who introduced firearms and Christianity to Japan around 1542. In addition, the tea ceremony, flower arranging, and Noh drama plays were developed during this period. One of the most significant historical periods in Japan is the Edo Period (1603-1868 AD) which established the powerful Tokugawa Clan in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). From around 1639, Japan isolated itself from the rest of the world except for strictly regulated trade with Korea, China and the Netherlands. In 1854, Commodore Mathew Perry forced the Japanese government to open other ports for international trade. The Edo Period enjoyed economic growth, a strict social order and a continuation of arts and culture.
From the Meiji Period (1868-1912), each era coincides directly with the reign of the emperor. Emperor Meiji officially established Tokyo as the capital of Japan. Much progress and industrialization took place during this era, as well as several wars and the annexation of Korea, and political achievements like the writing of a new constitution, an ordered legal system, the development of a powerful army and navy, and the introduction of railways. The Meiji Restoration primarily ended the feudal period, worked towards modernizing Japan, and restored the emperor back to being in the supreme position of power.
The Taisho Era (1912-1926) saw mass destruction caused by the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, but continued Japan’s prominence on the international scene, and politically moved toward a more representational form of government. The Showa Period (1926-1989) was also marked by a rise in militarism, Japanese aggression in China and South East Asia, and World War II, then the Allied Occupation from 1945-1952. But this era also ushered in a great period of economic expansion, stability, and progress, making Japan a world leader with a booming economy and it created a huge middle class that enjoyed prosperity, as well as producing cars and electronic goods for world consumption.
The Heisei Period (1989-2019) was marked by the bursting of the bubble economy, the Great Hanshin earthquake (1995), and then the Great East Japan earthquake (2011). During the 30 years of this period, there were 17 different prime ministers, making it a time of political instability. The Heisei Emperor stepped down from his duties to become “Emperor Emeritus” due to his advanced age and health-related concerns to allow his son to become the next emperor of the Reiwa Era (2019-present day).
So, there you have it. Japanese history 101 in a nutshell! Of course, it is difficult to do justice to a history as long as Japan’s in one column, but this column merely includes some of the highlights. There is so much more that is notable but due to space had to be left out.
As an undergraduate history major at Purdue, with an intense interest in Japan, one of my professors, Dr. Leonard H.D. Gordon, offered to give me independent study courses on Japanese history, so with his kindness I was able to graduate with a double degree in Spanish and European History with a related area (minor) in East Asian Studies. At that time, I had no idea that I would be spending my entire professional life as a professor in Japan or how beneficial his one-on-one classes would be for me in my own career in history. Sadly, he passed away in 2019 at the age of 91. But I would still like to acknowledge him and say thank you, Dr. Gordon!