Saturday, September 21, 2024
Senior Golden Bear Golfers Reflect on Team’s Family Atmosphere
Shelbyville High School girls golf team members Riley Everette, Emory Higgins, Sophia Asher, Kylie Stader and Maddy Jones spot the arrival of family members while receiving a pre-match pep talk from Coach Ben Sprinkle. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Only in girls golf would the fall season sectional be held before the actual start of fall. The big event for Shelbyville High School is today in Greensburg.
“Golf season starts early and ends early,” Emory Higgins said.
She and Kylie Stader were the two seniors on this year’s five-woman SHS squad and were celebrated after the team’s final home match on Tuesday. Although neither were avid golfers before joining the team, they’ve made significant progress and brought their families along for the ride - or walk - whichever method their parents’ preferred to watch the action.
“My whole family has played golf. There was always the Masters on TV or whatever was going on in the PGA, but I really started golfing my sophomore year,” Higgins said.
Encouraged to join the competition by former SHS golf coach Jason Bass while golfing with her dad, Higgins got on board her sophomore year, the first season for new coaches Ben Sprinkle and Nate Stonebraker.
“We’ve come a long way,” Higgins said, “and I brought Kylie (Stader) with me.”
Stader joined the team, at Higgins’ insistence, last year, just as she started the sport.
“My dad (Kevin Stader) started golfing when I started, so we’ve just been trying to learn together,” Kylie said. “I was like, I guess I like it, so I kept going.”
Both girls were recognized with displays following Tuesday’s final match, and Sprinkle highlighted their high school accomplishments. Stader played tennis and swam and is involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, the prom committee, mentoring program, and Bring Change to Mind. Higgins, the daughter of Adrianne Greene and Jon Higgins, was involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, French Club and Bring Change to Mind.
Stader’s favorite golf memory was chipping in on Hole 6 for a birdie. Higgins’ was winning medalist for the first time this year. They both thanked their families for traveling to virtually every meet. When asked by The Addison Times, Kylie’s mother, Shawn Stader, said she logs about 6,000-plus steps per match, walking hole to hole to watch the action.
Also watching closely was Higgins’ grandmother, Ellen Higgins, who has played the crucial role of providing and organizing snack bags for the girls and coaches. Madison Monroe’s grandmother previously had the job.
“When (Madison) graduated, we were like, ‘What are we going to do without snack bags?’ We were always so excited about it,” Emory said.
She and her grandma took the lead, providing chips, apple sauce, Uncrustables, sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls and other treats.
“I go to her house once or twice a week and help,” Emory said. “It’s been so good, because I know I’m always going to see her.”
Ellen Higgins’ snack bags have become a frequent topic of conversation, as players vie for specific items. Regardless of today’s sectional outcome, it’s that family atmosphere Emory will miss most.
“There’s so few of us. We’re all together all the time,” she said.
Even on the road, they’ve come to appreciate the support of each other and bus driver Mike Asher. (He gets a snack bag, too.)
“(Asher) is always the first person to ask how you did,” Higgins said. “He’s like, ‘How’d it go?’ and if it was a bad match, he’ll say, ‘Well, that’s alright. You can’t win ’em all.”
DAY MOON
This “super moon” photo was taken from Blue River Memorial Park. | photo by MIKE BOWLBY
NOTEBOOK:
A bicyclist was struck on East State Road 44 by a vehicle exiting a parking area near Pizza Hut. The bicyclist, who complained of pain in his back, was transported to the hospital.
A man who had just left dialysis treatment blacked out on his way to a restaurant. His vehicle struck a tree at 1941 North Morristown Road, significantly damaging his vehicle and causing minor damage to the tree. The man was treated by medics, but said he did not have any injuries as a result of the crash.
Mainstreet Shelbyville’s Brewfest is today, 5:30 - 10 p.m., on Public Square. Hoosier brews, downtown shopping and dining, food trucks, live music by 90s tribute band How Rude, a cornhole tournament and more are on the docket. Biergarten access (ages 21+) is $10. Event information and tickets available here.
Master storyteller Donna Dennison will share spooky local legends and lore of Shelby County at The Strand Theatre, 215 S. Harrison St., during the Cinema Scares film festival on Saturday, September 28 from 6 - 7 p.m. The “Ghost Story Hour” program is free and appropriate for all ages. For further information about this portion of the film festival, contact Donna Dennison at 317-398-8144, ext. 302.
Editor’s note: The Addison Times is reactivating social media accounts. Historically, social media was never a great fit for us, as we prioritized information in the paid edition. Now that we are donor-supported, an attempt will be made moving forward to provide photos and information on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).
NATIONAL NEWS: Total book sales were up 5.6 percent year over year in the first half of 2024, hitting $6.3 billion. That’s fueled by a 6.7 percent increase in sales of books for adults, as well as hot markets in the religion section (up 15.6 percent in the first six months) and the higher education book market (up 8 percent). Fiction for adults was up 11.3 percent, and sales of digital audiobooks were up 20.4 percent. The only areas where sales slipped were in children’s and young adult fiction and nonfiction, and the sales bump in adult nonfiction was vastly outpaced by the rest of the market. (Publishers Weekly/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
October 31, 2005, Part I
Editor’s note: This edition was packed. We’ll start with a feature article by Sarah Borders, and hit the edition highlights tomorrow.
Every year on October 31, people of all ages prepare for what seems to be one of the most loved holidays of the year. Wearing costumes, eating candy, and trick-or-treating are just a few of the many customs followed on this day. Children enjoy going around in their neighborhoods, eager and excited about what may lie behind the doors.
Tricks and pranks are another side to this holiday that many people enjoy. Memories, scary and funny, haunt many students at Shelbyville High School and are not easily forgotten.
One such story is that of junior Leslie Seals.
“One Halloween, my mom spent several hours putting make-up on my face so I could go trick-or-treating as a clown. I was so excited. When she finished, I ran to the bathroom to look at my face in the mirror to see what it looked like. When I saw my reflection, I screamed and started crying because it scared me. It's funny now when I think about it, but it wasn't then.”
Freshman Bethany Marell has a funny story involving her baby goat, which thought he was a dog. Bethany and her family dressed him up like a dog and put blinkers on his horns. They also put a bag around his neck so he could hold candy. “We walked him around on a leash and people put the candy in his bag. Most people thought that he was supposed to be a sheep, though.”
Chelcea Elliott, junior, was trick-or-treating with her two brothers and her friend last year and had an odd experience. She dressed up as an OBGYN nurse (a nurse that delivers babies). Chelcea had put fake blood all over the front of her “hospital scrubs” and held a baby doll to make the costume complete. “We were walking down the street and two guys pulled over in a car and yelled at me saying abortion is wrong. I told them I wasn't an abortionist, but I was an OBGYN nurse. After that happened, the baby doll went back home."
Senior Josh Bearley also had a funny story involving a drive-by shooting prank. Last Halloween, Josh, Scott Hanneman, Aaron Wester and Zach Lock decided it would be funny to do a “drive-by shooting.”
“We dropped Aaron off by the side of the road,” stated Josh, “drove around the block once, then took a BB gun and pretended to shoot Aaron.” Zach (dressed up like a member of the Mafia) and Josh got out of the car and Josh picked up Aaron and threw him in the trunk. We drove off fast. I don't know what people in the neighborhood thought, but it was funny.”
Sophomore Holli Stocklin has a scary story.
“I was sitting at home by myself watching a movie and handing out candy one Halloween when someone knocked at the door. No one was out there, so I went back to the couch, figuring it was a prank. When I sat back down, someone knocked on the door again. I looked out the window in the door, and nobody was there. Then I heard a knock at the window next to the door. I pulled back the curtain and there was a person standing in one of the “Scream” costumes with a bloody (I was hoping fake) knife. I shut the curtain and locked all of the doors. I could hear people laughing outside a few minutes later, so I know it wasn't real. It was really scary then, but I can laugh about it now.”
Sophomore Rebecca Borchert's story involves her first Halloween memory when she was two years old. “My mom made what were supposed to be Indian costumes for my older sister Emily and me, and she allowed us to decorate them with fabric paint on the deck. When we finished them, they ended up looking more like fairy costumes than Indian costumes. Actually, my mom didn't know what they were supposed to be, so she gave us wands and called them fairy costumes.”
Two days before Halloween, Emily ran over and broke Rebecca’s leg with her toddler motorcycle. "It was an accident," stated Rebecca, "but I like to tell people that she did it on purpose."
When Halloween rolled around, her dad had to push Rebecca around in a stroller. “I thought I would have a bad time because I wouldn't be able to walk like a big girl, but it turned out people felt sorry for the fairy with a broken leg and gave me more candy.”
Halloween is a time of year for pranks and having fun with friends. It seems like most people take part in this scary tradition for the adventure and for the candy. Halloween is celebrated with enthusiasm by people of all ages and will most likely be celebrated for years to come.
BELOW: Courier staff, circa 2005.
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: Construction at The Long Branch Saloon in Morristown was underway. An exterior wall was up and interior walls were being framed. The Long Branch had been destroyed in a December fire that also heavily damaged the adjacent Bluebird Restaurant, both owned by the Tracy family.
2004: The Strand Theatre’s balcony wall was removed by Runnebohm Construction. The company was removing all dividing walls to restore the theater’s original dimensions.
1994: Shelby County Commissioners approved a proposal by Veterans Service Officer John F. Lewis to build an Honor Park at the northeast corner of the Shelby County jail. The park would include a flag pole and plaques honoring public servants and military personnel.
1984: Shelbyville Mayor Dan Theobald was installed as president of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns during the group’s annual meeting in South Bend.
The J.G. DePrez Co. “The Big Busy Store” at 18-20 Public Square announced it would hold anything on layaway for a small deposit. “Shop Shelby County’s Largest Year ‘Round Toy Dept.,” the ad said.
1974: A new trial was ordered by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago regarding a $4 million suit resulting from the 1969 collision of two planes over Shelby County in which 83 people were killed. The court ruled that the Indianapolis judge who tried the case of Allegheny Airlines against the U.S. government and the estate of the pilot and owner of a small plane which collided with a large jet had erred in finding Allegheny guilty of contributory negligence.
1964: Three lightning rods were installed on the roof of the FOP lodge at the firing range on Knightstown Road. The rods had been donated by James Emmert, former Shelbyville mayor, circuit court and state supreme court judge who also was an expert marksman. James Pickett was FOP president.
1954: Shelbyville school officials reported that a parking problem at home football games was due to fans not realizing there was plenty of free parking close to the field. Cars often were parked on the narrow streets several blocks in every direction of the field while the parking area south of the playing field was seldom filled. Drivers only need to go in through the last gate to the south. If that area was filled, the old football field across Meridian St. would be opened for parking.
1944: A final organization meeting of the newly established local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was held. Forty men had become charter members.
“The Hendricks Township grade school twin-quintet took everything home with them but the playing field when they swamped the Boggstown Elementary team by a 42 to 4 count in a softball tilt at the Boggstown diamond,” The Republican reported. The three Hendricks pitchers used were Thurston, Cox and Harrison, with Finley catching.
1934: Flat Rock High School students saved the home of Mr. and Mrs. Enos Scudder, directly across from the school, from destruction by fire. The blaze was first observed by children in school. With the assistance of teachers, they carried most of the furniture out of the home. Meanwhile, fire extinguishers from the school and from nearby business buildings were used in extinguishing the fire, after a hole had burned through the roof.
1924: A Columbus man had filed a $2,400 claim against another man saying he had not been paid for five years for his farm labor work, The Shelbyville Republican reported.
1914: William Messmore purchased half interest in the Airdome on East Broadway previously owned by J. Edward Walker. Lee Herring was the other owner. “The two men will run high-class shows each day and will make a bid for a larger share of the people’s patronage,” The Republican said.
OBITUARIES
Neil Allen Marcum, 52, of New Palestine, passed away, Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois. He was born August 2, 1972, in Rushville, the son of Charles J. and Debra M. (Sweet) Marcum. On May 3, 1996, he married his wife of 28 years, Kimberly Lynn Flaugher, and she survives. In addition to Kim, Neil is survived by his father of Morristown; sons, Richard Gage Marcum and Hayden Allen Marcum, both of New Palestine; grandson, Gavin Eli Marcum; sister, Natalie Batton and husband, Thomas, of Shelbyville; brother, Jeffery Marcum and wife, Kelly, of Morristown; nieces, Ashtyn Marcum, Charli Marcum, Alexis Batton, Breelyn Flaugher and Macalyn Flaugher; nephew, Bo Marcum; mother-in-law, Victoria Johnson of New Palestine; father-in-law, Richard Johnson of New Palestine; brothers-in-law, Michael Flaugher of Beech Grove, and Dustin Johnson of Indianapolis. Neil was preceded in death by his mother.
In 1990, Neil graduated from Morristown High School, he continued his education at Ivy Tech College. He was the owner and operator of Marcum Flooring, installing commercial flooring for over 27 years. Neil was an outstanding loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, that loved life. He had a big heart, would help anyone and was the social butterfly of his family and friends. He enjoyed all outdoor activities, including going fishing and hunting. Neil also enjoyed stock car racing. Other things that brought him enjoyment were going to the beach, remodeling and shopping for antiques. Neil also leaves behind his chickens, Roscoe, Rosa, Thelma, Penny and Henny; and his granddog, Duke.
A Gathering of Friends and Family will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, September 23, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 124 E. North St. in Morristown. The Celebration of Neil’s life will be at 7 p.m., Monday, at the funeral home, with Larry Avery officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 75856, Topeka, Kan., 66675-8516. Online condolences may be shared with Neil’s family at www.freemanffamilyfuneralhomes.com.