Saturday, June 14, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
GREATEST SHOW(WO)MAN
Hannah Bridges (#104) accepts her Shelby County Royal Champion banner from Shelby County Fair Queen Ellie Gosser on Wednesday. The Shelby County Royal Showmanship Contest determines an overall showmanship winner in six different livestock species. It is strictly a showman ship award; grooming of animals is not judged. The contestants are the highest-placing 4-H Senior Showmanship winners in each category: beef cattle, sheep, swine, goat, dairy cattle, and horse and pony. In addition to Bridges, Royal representatives included Carter Fogle, Deacon DeWitt, Abigail Bridges, Lillian Dove, and Maryn Sprinkle. | photo by ANNA TUNGATE
STRAWBERRY MOON
The “strawberry moon”, June’s (near) full moon, is visible over 2100 East 421, Shelbyville. The moon appears reddish because of its low position on the Southern Horizon. | photo by JACK BOYCE
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelby County Recycling District is upgrading county collection sites by laying recycled asphalt under the bins in Waldron, Fairland and Boggstown. Those containers currently sit on gravel and have large holes that collect water. (Southwestern schools and Blue River Career Programs recycle collection sites already have asphalt pads.) SCRD also recently provided funding to pave the Morristown pickleball court with recycled asphalt.
Revenues are up at Indiana Grand Casino, with the casino reporting $27.5 million in taxable Adjusted Gross Revenue last month, higher than April’s $24.6 million and last May’s $24.4 million AGR.
The Grover Center is hosting a free Juneteenth celebration, June 21, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., at Sunset Park. Activities include music, activities, food trucks and free snow cones. The event will open with a City proclamation, followed by the Juneteenth welcome and remembrance. The Juneteenth Celebration Singers will sing at 11:30 a.m., and FunkSway, an R&B group from Louisville, Ky., will perform. The Shelby County Public Library will also be on hand with activities. Community members are invited to bring lawn chairs, picnics and blankets to enjoy the day. Bottled water will be available.
Editor’s Note: Last month, with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day approaching, I asked a few local students to tell me a humorous story about a parent. The responses were hilarious - and approved by the parent - and will be published in the upcoming print edition (available to supporters; link at the end of this section). I thought it would be worthwhile opening this up to all readers. If you have a story about your parents - perhaps their eccentricities or a humorous moment (that they wouldn’t mind you sharing) for publication consideration, please send it (max. 150 words) by replying to this email (or k@addisontimes.com) by Thursday, June 19.
HOOSIER NEWS: Nearly 300 Hoosier students will receive up to $40,000 each to pursue careers in education through the state’s Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship program, higher education officials announced this week. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education awarded 295 awards for the 2025–26 academic year. The renewable scholarship provides up to $10,000 per year for four years. In exchange, recipients agree to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school or repay a prorated amount. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: Amazon introduced ads onto Prime Video in January 2024 and only had a reported 2 to 3.5 minutes of advertising per hour at the time. According to a new report, the ad load on Prime Video is now up to 4 to 6 minutes per hour. That’s still one of the lighter ad experiences on the market — Netflix does 4 to 5 minutes per hour as well, Max says about 4 minutes per hour and Peacock is coming in at about 5 to 7 minutes per hour — and is still well under the 13 minutes to 16 minutes of ads you’d see on linear television. (AdWeek/Numlock)
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
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!
Thank you to every donor for your continued support of The Addison Times. Donors of $75 or more receive the three remaining 2025 quarterly print publications in the mail. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to The Addison Times, either online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history. I appreciate each of you. - Kristiaan Rawlings, Editor
Shelby Senior Services Travels: Savannah, St. Simon Island, Jekyll Island
by Carol McDaniel, MA, Travel Coordinator
It isn’t possible to fully describe the beautiful city of Savannah, Ga., with its landscaped 22 squares, meticulously planned out by its founder, James Oglethorpe. We realized that right away when travelers from Shelby Senior Services recently toured that city. We also visited St. Simon Island, Jekyll Island and Parris Island during this trip.
On our trolley tour around Savannah one hot afternoon, our guide/driver told us the squares are dedicated to the many important military heroes throughout the history of Savannah. I thought it unusual, however, that the squares’ names didn’t match up with the statues of the heroes in those squares. One hero might be several squares away. Regardless, the squares, their statues and their beautiful fountains are breathtaking, and their perimeters are marked with live oaks trees, gorgeous flowers and manicured grassy areas.
Of course, the River Walk along the shore of the Savannah River is where one goes to eat and shop in the quaint, unique restaurants and shops. Paula Dean thought so, too, when she opened her restaurant there.
Parris Island is the Marine military base where training of new recruits takes place. We arrived on family day when the latest group of recruits were going to be assembled on the marching field. Dressed in their uniforms, the recruits were proud and happy to see family members after a challenging few weeks of training.
Jekyll Island was where millionaires in the 1800s and early 1900s gathered to spend the winter months away from the cold of the north. The Jekyll Island Club members built “cottages” that were, in fact, mansions. They brought their families and servants to “rest” away from the big cities. Meals were taken in the large club house in order to socialize with the other millionaires and their families, so very few mansions had kitchens.
St. Simon Island had wonderful food, picturesque shops and a beautiful shoreline to observe as you walked along the sidewalk. We happened to arrive during a downpour, so our stroll along the shore was limited, but the food and shops were worth the adventure.
Next year in June we will again offer a trip to Savannah and all it has to offer. Why not join us then? Call the office at 317-398-0127 for details.
SHS Courier Archive Highlights
Dec. 1, 1939
Two students, Virginia Sosbe and Jeanne Ann Moore, had attended a band and orchestra clinic in Terre Haute. “Talk about comfort,” Moore said. “We stayed at a dormitory, and each floor was equipped with candy machines and Coke stands.”
School officials decided to start playing the national anthem before varsity basketball games. Margaret Morgan, head drum major, would carry the flag out. She would be escorted by Letty Lawrence and Ruth Stader. They would march to the center of the floor, everyone would rise and the band would play the Star Spangled Banner. (The Courier later reported that many in the stands did not know the words to the anthem.)
Girls shared their thoughts on what boys and girls should and shouldn’t be wearing. “Girls are definitely thumbs down on floppy socks (on guys). And they feel that sneakers are just grand - on the gym floor.” Sweatshirts and visible suspenders were also out for the boys, they said. More than 90 percent of girls said they liked to be helped out of automobiles. They also preferred boys rise when they entered rooms (not classrooms), hold doors and coats for them and follow, rather than precede, them down the aisles at the movies.
Football player Jim Smith received the 1939 Kiwanis medal from J. Fred Ellis, club representative. Smith said he “was never more surprised in all my life.” John Van Liew, football coach at Hanover College, alma mater of Coach McKeand, spoke at the program.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS
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: James Peck prepared to attend his final Shelbyville Central Schools board meeting as superintendent, wrapping up a 40-year career in education. After joining the district in 1993 amid a financial crisis, Peck led cost-saving efforts that included cutting more than 70 staff positions. Over 12 years, he guided the corporation through budget recovery, drug testing policies, and academic improvements. He noted that during his tenure, “We hooked up to the Internet,” and all buildings were air-conditioned. Previously, only the middle school had been air-conditioned. David Adams, principal at SHS, would be Peck’s successor.
1995: The Shelby County Health Department announced plans to move into office space at 40 Howard St., behind Mickey’s T-Mart. The Health Department was previously at 53 W. Polk St., but needed more space.
1985: Rev. Robert C. and Muriel (Essex) Cavaness were honored at a banquet by their family and the Apostolic Tabernacle congregation in celebration of the couple’s 45th wedding anniversary. The couple had been married June 1, 1940, in the 11th Street Pentecostal Church in Bloomington by the Rev. O.T. Frame. (Photo below by Marlene Howell).
Mayor Dan Theobald and city officials loaded a minibus and toured the city’s aging sewage treatment plant and lift stations. They discussed ways to improve infrastructure for city users and to attract development.
1975: The summer recreation program was underway at the Booker T. Washington Center. The day’s events included educational slides and refreshments. Mrs. Earlene Smith was the Rec director. Her assistant was Mrs. Minnie Starks.
1965: Mrs. Wray Orem won a 1965 Valiant vehicle during the Belaire Shopping Center Grand Opening. The car was presented by merchants Bob Bell, Harold Walters, Jack Snively, Earl Haley, Marshall Shaw, Buddy Clements, Robert Cole, Robert Willison, Frances Snyder and Dean Stamper.
1955: A Shelby Gravel Co. cement mixer tumbled 15 feet down an embankment at the Amos Road viaduct after the driver pulled his heavy vehicle over on the rain-softened embankment to allow another car to pass. The 1954 mixer suffered major damage.
1945: Shelby County ranked only 80th in the state in the sale of “E” war bonds, a state report noted. Carl Meloy, county war finance chair, said it was important for locals to outgive surrounding counties, including Decatur County, which ranked ahead of Shelby.
1935: The American Hotel on East Washington St. had been condemned due to being a fire hazard and demolition was set for Monday. George Thomas, described as a “critically ill, aged man,” lived at the hotel and had nowhere to go. His daughter, who lived in Indianapolis, came to visit him, but reportedly did not offer to help. Mayor L.E. Webb issued a warrant for her arrest on a charge of failing to provide for her father.
1925: Two local boys, Leon Miller and Dale Williams, left here in a canoe with plans to reach Texas. They started from the Flat Rock River and planned to take White River to the Ohio, then to the Mississippi. They had at least reached Seymour by publication time, The Republican reported.
1915: A 20-year-old man, described by The Republican as “an Italian of Indianapolis,” was arrested in Shelbyville for the murder of “Sewel Laythorn, an American.” The murder had occurred in Indianapolis, and the suspect was caught in the Big Four railyard here. The suspect had a loaded gun on him. “The barrel was smoked, indicating that it had been fired recently,” the paper said.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Roger Dale Batton, 76, of Greenfield, formerly of Morristown, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025, at his home. He was born July 24, 1948, in Shelbyville, the son of Lance and Lois (Bass) Batton. On July 9, 1971, he married Vickie Lee Livingston, and she preceded him in death on December 31, 2024. Roger is survived by his daughters, Tammy Batton of Shelbyville, and Kara Nikole Batton of Greenfield; son, Thomas “TJ” Batton and wife, Natalie, of Shelbyville; brothers, Bruce Batton and wife, Wanda, Philip Batton and wife, Michelle, and Bill Batton and wife, Deena; sister-in-law, Gina Batton; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
In addition to Vickie, Roger was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Brian Batton.
In 1966, Roger graduated from Morristown High School. He received his bachelors degree in business management from Indiana State University, in 1970. Roger had formerly worked for Associated Milk Producers, Funks-G Seed Service and Pioneer Seed Company. For the last 20 years, he was a farmer. He enjoyed going golfing with friends, and playing softball.
Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 124 E. North St. in Morristown. Funeral service will follow at 5 p.m. Inurnment will be at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Association of Shelby County, PO Box 844, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Roger’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.