Saturday, September 28, 2024
Preschool Students Catch the Beat
photo by ANNA TUNGATE
“This is one of our hardest ones. Do you think you’re ready?” Lisa Colleen posed the question to Golden Bear Preschool students after they had practiced basic drum beats, imitating the sounds of raindrops, wind and thunder on the bongos.
Of course, the preschoolers believed they were ready, and soon they tiptoed around the drum, one finger in the air, joining a singalong: “A storm is coming, but I’m not afraid….”
Colleen, a recreational music and wellness and drum facilitator from Bongo Boy Music School on the northeast side of Indianapolis, spent the last two days in Shelbyville helping students tap into the power of rhythm, encompassing “breath work” and “brain breaks,” and changing the pace practically every minute.
“Once they get all their sillies out, they can start to fall into a groove,” Colleen said as preschoolers filed out of the room. “They’re reconnecting with themselves, which is really what I want.”
The program is the latest effort to bring activities to Golden Bear Preschool in light of state bus seat belt laws for young children. Recent visitors have included an author and a musician, and this week’s program was underwritten by a Knauf Cares grant.
“We’re bringing the field trips to the preschool,” Principal Lora Nigh said.
NOTEBOOK:
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Finalists for Shelby County were announced yesterday: Karina Calderon, Addison Hartman, Emory Higgins and Elias Slaven, all students at Shelbyville High School; Jacob Hawk, Morristown High School; and Tucker Hutchinson, Triton Central High School. These Class of 2025 students were selected by the Blue River Community Foundation’s Scholarship Committee through a blinded application evaluation process. Each now moves on to the personal interview phase. The winner of the prestigious award will be announced in December.
Given the significant rainfall over the past two days, Shelby County Commissioners have lifted the county-wide burn ban effective immediately, Shelby County Emergency Management Agency announced.
A vehicle rear-ended another vehicle at the stoplight on East State Road 44 coming off the I-74 Eastbound exit ramp. It is believed the driver of the first vehicle suffered a seizure or medical episode, the police report said.
West Street United Women in Faith are having a rummage and bake sale, Oct. 4 and 5, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, 629 S. West Street. Saturday, Oct. 5, will be $2 a bag day.
NATIONAL NEWS: The average price of a fast food restaurant burger in the second quarter of 2024 was $8.41, up 16 percent over the past five years. At McDonald’s, even, the average Big Mac was $5.29, up 21 percent over the same period. (Bloomberg/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 $30 one-time) receive the two remaining quarterly Addison Times magazines for 2024 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!
COURIER ARCHIVE PHOTO
SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
November 25, 1959
Doug Lackey, SHS senior and varsity half-back, was named Kiwanis Medal winner, presented by Fred Cramer. Doug’s father, Raymond Lackey, had received the award in 1933. The 1958 winner had been Bill Reimann Jr., whose father, William Reimann, had won the award in 1931. The event also included two-bar letters awarded to Bob Adams (co-captain), Bob Wetnight, Gary Hume, C.M. Hepp, Steve Totten, Steve Theobald, Jim Sleeth, Dick Schoelch and Tom Graham. Those who received sweaters with one-bar letters were Rick Sandefur, Wendell Bernard, Richard Cochran, Alan Kohler, Dick Staats, Bob Pedrick, Steve Kuhn and John Martin. Manager Dennis Bonner, a senior, received a sweater with a letter.
Over 300 parents attended the third annual SHS Open House. Parents were greeted by members of Student Council and had a chance to talk with teachers.
Stewart Ryan, SHS senior, was named semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition. Four other local seniors - Bob Adams, Kay Crafton, Judy Jones and Becky Moore - received letters of Commendation for having high scores on the scholarship test.
Mr. Brown’s bookkeeping class toured the Shelby National Bank. The 35 students were guided by Donald Jones and Robert Leming, bank employees. The group finished the tour with Cokes provided by the bank.
The annual battle of the sexes was claimed by the boys, who defeated the girls in Squib sales by 170%. “Girls, hide your heads in shame; have you lost your alluring feminine charm that proverbially has moved the highest mountain and bridged the deepest river? Ha! What a laugh! One man alone, Harold Stewart to be exact, has sold as many Squibs as the entire class of senior girls!” The Courier said.
“Shelby County has two probable starters on the Indiana University basketball team: Gary Long, a ’57 Shelbyville graduate, and Jerry Bass, a ’58 graduate of Morristown. Incidentally, Gary and Jerry are cousins.”
Emily McKeand won first place at the Annual Bowling Day held by GAA in Greenfield. Others attending from SHS were Kay Crafton, Lynn Bramwell, Cindy Mullen and Ann Schoelch.
“Have you wondered how Goldie gets so much office work done? She has the help of a staff of office girls. First period assistants are Lynn Dellekamp and Susan Scott. Pay Myer and Ruthann Bausban help during the second period. Rotating duty on lunch hour are three girls - Nancy Headlee, Joyce Love and Joan Daniels. Volunteers for the afternoon are Marna Miller, Sherry Smith and Faye Cole.”
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: Sanae Koyanagi was serving as the first teacher from Shizuoka as part of a teacher exchange program. She was helping Steve von Werder teach his Japanese classes at SHS. There were plans to send a Shelbyville teacher to Japan the following year.
2004: Sandy Allen, the world’s tallest woman, and Bonnie Shehan, a nurse at the Shelbyville nursing home where Allen lived, asked the community for help raising $5,200 for a wheelchair-equipped van that would allow her to reach local churches and schools so she could talk to children about coping with differences. Allen’s disposable income was $52 per month. “If someone helped me I’d be eternally grateful,” Allen said.
1994: An Indianapolis developer received approval from the city to put 32 more lots up for sale in the Loper Ponds housing subdivision. Plan Commission president Donald Baumgartner and member Jeffrey Martin voted against continuing development because they said the lots were too small.
1984: A home belonging to Kevin and Karen Jackson was moved from S. Harrison St. south along the Conrail System spur to McKinley St. and across the Shelbyville Junior High athletic field to a lot on Meridian St.
1974: Called to investigate “a loud party” in the 500 block of W. Taylor St., police arrested seven juveniles, ages ranging from 13 to 17, and charged them with marijuana-related drug violations.
1964: Charles Raymond Fewell Jr., 836 W. Washington St., had been hired as the city’s newest police officer, replacing Roy Anderson, who had recently retired.
The Roselyn Bakery special was cherry pie for 59 cents.
1954: Safety Officer Earl Trees promised a crack-down on issues related to bicycle safety. A boy’s bicycle was confiscated by police after he was caught riding the wrong way on Pike St. off Broadway, a one-way. Two other boys had their bikes confiscated for “riding double” on E. Jackson St. Another boy was scheduled to appear at the police station regarding his “reckless operation of a bicycle.”
The Major Hospital board approved funding a sound-proofed and equipped room to be used for the temporary detention and care of mentally disturbed people awaiting transfer to state institutions. The service would eliminate the need for detention at the county jail.
1944: A home in the 300 block of W. Broadway was for sale for $8,000, approximately $144,000 in today’s money.
First Lt. Edwin Cockerham, 20, had been missing over Germany since September 12, his parents were notified by the War Department. Cockerham was a B-17 pilot. Cockerham had previously been recognized for “courage, coolness and skill” during bombing attacks on airfields, bridges, supply dumps and gun emplacements.
1934: The Republican reported on a rumor that Kenneth Cherry and Hazel Barnes had married. The couple had met in a revolving door, “and have since been going around together,” the paper said. (The marriage actually occurred Oct. 25. Hazel passed away in 1939 at age 25. They had one child, Marcia Cherry Metz.)
1924: A “trackless train,” a vehicle that looked like a locomotive and carried a 30-foot Pullman car, stopped on North Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Mayor Lee Hoop, George C. Stubbs, George Meiks and John Day DePrez met the “train” at city hall and greeted a committee of Indianapolis officials onboard.
The First M.E. church sanctuary was re-opened after several weeks of refurbishments, including new carpet and refinished pews.
1914: Louis Hoover, one of the best-known and successful merchants in Shelbyville and a resident of the city since birth, announced he would sell his business and move to the Pacfic Coast. Hoover had co-owned a store with Julius Joseph and later bought out Jonas Joseph. The Republican called him a “generous, public spirited, broad-minded citizen, who gives time and money freely in all good causes.”
OBITUARIES
Wesley Bert Thurston, better known as Wes, passed away on September 25, 2024, in his hometown of Shelbyville, Indiana. Born on February 20, 1935, to Walter and Mable (McDaniel) Thurston, Wes was a lifelong resident of Shelbyville and a pillar of the community he so dearly loved.
Wes's life was defined by hard work and service. As a child of the Depression, he began working at a young age, taking on various jobs including carpentry, factory work, and railroad construction. He became a master plumber working with Hoosier Plumbing for many years. Wes joined the Shelbyville Police Department in 1967, attaining the rank of captain five years later. He retired in 1998 after 32 years of service. Throughout his career, Wes was known for his dedication to helping others, often providing his skills for little or no pay to those in need.
On August 20, 1955, Wes married his beloved wife Alean, who preceded him in death in 2016. Together, they raised three daughters. Wes was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, known for his presence at family events and his willingness to lend a helping hand whenever needed.
Despite his busy professional life, Wes found time for numerous hobbies and community involvements. He was active in the Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, serving as president of both local chapters. Wes was also a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Shelbyville Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, tennis, and gardening, and volunteered for various causes including the American Heart Association and Habitat for Humanity.
Wes was a graduate of Shelbyville High School, class of 1953, and a member of Blue Ridge Christian Church and St. Joe Social Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife Alean and his parents; brothers, Franklin Pierce Thurston, Maurice Thurston, Walter Thurston, Kenny Thurston, and Joseph Thurston; and sisters, Joann Coffey and Marilyn Baunsbach. His memory will be forever held in the hearts of his surviving family: his daughters, Diana Shook and husband Gregory Shook, Barbara Smith and husband Todd Smith, and Kim Thurston and husband Matt Tracey; his granddaughter, Jennifer (Shook) Mahan and husband Todd Mahan, and grandson Todd Wesley Smith; his great-grand-children, Abigail, Annabelle, and Agnes Mahan; his sisters, Nelda Cheseborough and Linda Garlitch; and his many nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate Wes’s life will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 12 noon at the Freeman Family Funeral Home in Shelbyville. Friends and Family may gather from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Following the service, Wes will be laid to rest at Blue Ridge Christian Cemetery. A meal will be served at Blue Ridge Christian Church immediately after the burial.
Wesley Bert Thurston will be remembered as a loving family man, dedicated public servant, and friend to many. His legacy of kindness, hard work, and community service will continue to inspire all who knew him. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 90, Memphis, Tenn., 38101-9929. Online condolences may be shared with Wesley’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
David R. Pearce, 88, of Waldron passed away Friday, September 27, 2024, at his residence. Born January 15, 1936, in Shelby County, he was the son of Miles Pearce and Mabel (Rutherford) Pearce. He married Sharon (Stanley) Pearce on November 22, 1976, and she survives. Other survivors include three children, William Pearce of Shelbyville, Connie Smothers (Carson) of St. Paul, Jill Sheaffer (Steve) of Waldron; four stepchildren, Lisa Thornburg (Mike) of Shelbyville, Kim Smith (Terry) of Shelbyville, Tony Kuhn (Lisa) of Waldron, Lori Yeend (Greg) of Shelbyville; twin sister Marcia Davis of Shelby County; seven grandchildren; eight-step grandchildren; and eight step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two step-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild and brother-in-law Wilbur Davis.
David was a lifelong Waldron resident and graduated from Waldron High School in 1954, was a member of Shelbyville Community Church and Waldron Masonic Lodge. He was employed with GE/Wellman's for 30 years, Delco Remy of Anderson for five years and was a self-employed farmer throughout his career. David also was a funeral assistant for the Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home for 10 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran. David enjoyed woodworking, socializing with friends at McDonalds, and attending his grandchildren's sporting events.
Funeral services will be 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Pastor Robb Barlow and Pastor Brad Davis officiating. Friends may call on Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 p.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion. Memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer's Association, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Wilbur E. Higgins Jr., 81, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Morristown Manor. Born August 27, 1943, in Shelbyville, he was the son of Wilbur E. Higgins Sr. and LuVena (Carmichael) Higgins. He married Brenda J. (Thomas) Higgins on December 28, 1962, and she preceded him in death on August 28, 2024. Survivors include two daughters, Kimberly Ross (Chris) of Shelbyville and Lori Burnett of Shelbyville; three grandchildren, Katie Ross (Max Pierson), Bailey Burnett-Schnur (Alex), and Madison Burnett (Jacob Broaddus). He was preceded in death by his parents; spouse Brenda; son, Kyle; and grandsons Cole Ross and Mitchell Burnett.
Mr. Higgins had lived in this area his entire lifetime and graduated from Shelbyville High School. He had been a tool & die maker with TRW Cinch for many years, and later worked at Hil-Rom as a tool & die maker for several years, where he retired from. He was a member of Moose Lodge of Shelbyville, and the American Legion.
Wilbur enjoyed golfing, going to flea markets, antique shops and yard sales. He enjoyed tinkering in his garage and spending time with his family. He was the glue that held the family together.
Funeral services will be noon, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Shelbyville/Shelby Co. Animal Shelter. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.