Sunday, December 21, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
GROVER ARCHIVE: G.C. Murphy Christmas Map
A framed layout of the G.C. Murphy store titled “Christmas Map 1962,” names all the departments and goods. The Murphy’s in Shelbyville was store number 105. The map belonged to Nora Fallis, a dedicated employee of Murphy’s who worked there until they closed. Want to learn more about this piece or others in the collection? Contact the Grover Center at archive@grovercenter.org.
SEMESTER CELEBRATIONS
photo by ANNA TUNGATE
Indiana Pacers mascot Boomer celebrates the end of the semester at Coulston Elementary on Friday morning. Boomer performed his Boomer Routine and read with students.
On Thursday, the school also celebrated attendance awards and two outstanding teachers. Coulston principal Nicole Terrell told students that being present matters, not just for academics, but for community, and stressed that health comes first. “If you’re sick, stay home,” Terrell said, “but when you’re able to be here, we want you here. When you’re not, we miss you.” The message was part of an ongoing effort to improve attendance by reminding students they are seen and valued at school each day.
Terrell also recognized two teachers honored through the SONIC Extra Yard for Teachers program, a partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation that supports educators by providing resources and funding for projects. Coulston teachers recognized were Mrs. Jennifer DeArmitt and Mr. Mike Bunton.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
Geeze Wally, a 14-year-old former racehorse, has found a second career as a pony and lesson horse at Horseshoe Indianapolis Racing & Casino after retiring from racing. Though he never competed in major stakes, Wally became a fixture at the track under trainer Chaz Rechy and has adapted to a range of roles, becoming especially reliable around kids and riders. Read the complete article about “The horse nobody wanted” here.
Santa will be on hand at Cabell’s today, 12-2 p.m., for the ice cream shop’s last day of the season.
The Shelbyville High School boys basketball team (6-1) defeated Yorktown last night on the road, 49-39. SHS senior Cayden Claxton eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career.
Shelbyville High School pitcher Aiden Smith ranked in the top 25 among Prep Report’s most-viewed Indiana player profiles of 2025. The 6-foot-4 right-hander was rated among the top players in Indiana’s 2026 class after a standout spring that included 55 strikeouts, a .413 batting average and fastballs reaching 93 mph. Smith has committed to play college baseball at the University of Kentucky.
The Shelbyville High School girls basketball team (5-6) lost to Franklin Community yesterday, 52-31, on the road.
Editor’s Note: Thank you so much to each donor who has generously contributed to our $100,000 campaign. The following are among our recent donors: Donna Cook, Lisa Carpenter & Brent Fuchs, David & Michelle Phares, Debby McLeod, Sharon Snyder, Kent & Marsha Apsley, Jack Horner, Joni Sanders Nay and Lynn Baker. (Many of these are on behalf of families.) Reaching our fundraising goal for 2026 will allow us to expand high-quality coverage countywide. Donors of $100 or more receive a commemorative January print edition and donors of $500 or more will be recognized in that edition. Contributions can be made online through our donation form or by mailing a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, Ste. 13, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Again, thank you so much for your loyal support of this endeavor. - Kristiaan Rawlings
HOOSIER NEWS: Westfield’s Grand Park Sports Campus has been approved by FIFA as one of 62 potential base camps for teams competing in the 2026 Men’s World Cup, keeping central Indiana in play despite Indianapolis not hosting matches. Operated by Grand Park Sports & Entertainment, the campus is being considered by several national federations as a training and home base during the group stage, with team selections expected between January and early April. (IBJ)
NATIONAL NEWS: A recent study involving two experiments and 192 participants examined whether swearing affects physical endurance during a strenuous task. Participants who repeated a swear word while performing chair pushups were able to support their body weight significantly longer than those who repeated a neutral word, a result researchers attributed to increased disinhibition. The findings align with earlier research showing that swearing can reduce perceived pain, with participants enduring cold-water immersion for longer periods than control groups. (Ars Technica)
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This Week in Shelby County Archive
by GEORGE L. STUBBS
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS
This Day in Shelby County History
Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: After a Salvation Army Angel Tree was left empty, employees and customers at the Chaperral Cafe and nearby businesses stepped in to provide Christmas gifts for about 100 local children. Shirley Bailey, Judy Morgan, J.J. Smith and others raised money, collected donations and worked with Salvation Army coordinator Cheryle Bell to restore the program.
1995: A small fire caused about $3,000 in damage at Jerry’s Country Diner on East Michigan Road after sparks from a boiler flue ignited insulation in the boiler room. Owner Jerry Perigo reported smoke in the building, and firefighters from the Waldron Volunteer Fire Department responded, led by Chief Mike Knoll. No injuries were reported, and the restaurant remained open for business.
1985: From The Shelbyville News: “Sliding beat - On that first icy day a little over a week ago, one Shelbyville businessman drove home for lunch. It just happens he lives on a hill. He parked his vehicle, went inside and sat down by a window overlooking the street to eat. As he watched, he saw his vehicle slowly start sliding down the hill. Asked what he did, he shrugged, ‘I watched it. What else could I do?’ Fortunately, the vehicle just slid into a curb further down and missed hitting anything. What’s his business? Insurance.”
1975: Letters to Santa: “Dear Santa — I love you. Thank you for the toys you brought me last year. I’ll see you downtown and tell you what I want for Christmas. I can whistle good. I’ll be five on New Year’s Day. - Kim Ann Bonner.”
“Dear Santa — My name is Suzanna Rife and I live at R.R. 1, Waldron. I go to kindergarten this year. Thanks for all the nice things you brought last Christmas and now for this year! Could you please bring me a Baby Crissy, a bed and a high chair for her, a sink for my playhouse, Snoopy Sing-a-Long and a jewelry box. I’ll leave a Coke by the fireplace for you in a glass that has your picture on it.”
1965: LoMark Discount Drugs opened for business at the southeast corner of South Harrison and East Broadway, occupying the former Worland Drugs location. The building was leased from Nate Kaufman, and the store was managed by Pauline Smith with two other employees.
1955: State officials announced plans to build two new bridges in Shelby County to replace aging spans on Fairland Road near U.S. 421 and on U.S. 52 east of State Road 9. The projects, funded largely through the Indiana State Highway Department, were expected to begin within about a month.
1945: After being closed since Dec. 10, the REC youth recreation center announced plans to reopen with a gala dance following the Franklin-Shelbyville basketball game, with attendance limited to members.
1935: The new pipe organ donated to Trinity M.E. Church by the late T. E. Goodrich was used for the first time during Sunday morning services. Mrs. Bernard Douglas served as organist, and Dr. L. T. Freeland of Indianapolis, a former pastor, preached the sermon. Church choirs appeared in new robes, and a moment of silent prayer was held in honor of the donor.
1925: St. Joseph Catholic Church announced plans for a solemn midnight high Mass celebrating Christmas, conducted by the Rev. Father F. Van Mourick. Special Christmas music would be provided by the church choir under the direction of J. J. Rembusch.
1915: Shelbyville City Council members expressed support for purchasing a lungmotor after attending a demonstration and hearing an explanation of its emergency uses. Mayor Henry Schoelch appointed Charles Jackson, I. O. Mann and George K. Smith to meet with county commissioners about sharing the cost of the machine. Council members said the device could save lives in cases of asphyxiation, drowning and electrocution.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Terry Lee Perkinson, 69, of Shelbyville, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St., in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Terry’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Jeremiah Lee Smith, 49, of Morristown, passed away Friday, December 19, 2025, at his home. He was born on March 13, 1976, in Indianapolis, the son of Larry Smith and Joan (Donhardt) Morrison. On October 16, 2021, he married Beth Ann Shirley, and she survives. In addition to Beth, Jeremiah is survived by his mother, Joan Morrison and husband, James, of Indianapolis; children, Nathan Smith, Karleiann Sloan and Aleah Marshall, all of Morristown, Skyler Jeffries of Fortville, and Landen Baxter of Knightstown; sister, Trina Smith of Indianapolis; and several nieces and nephews including Tyler Powell and Haley Thomas. He was preceded in death by his father.
Jeremiah was a local and long-distance truck driver for over 20 years, retiring in August 2024. He enjoyed playing video games with his son and nephew. Jeremiah also enjoyed trivia and was a very good conversationalist. He was an excellent chess player and was fond of classic cars. Jeremiah loved to spend time with his step-children. He also leaves behind his dogs, Hattie, Willow, Chevy and Oaklee.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, December 26, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 124 E. North St. in Morristown. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m., at the funeral homes. Memorial contributions may be made to Stronger Together against ALS Foundation, 11677 N. Stone Hedge Lane, Mooresville, IN 46158. Online condolences may be shared with Jeremiah’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Beverly Eileen Huber, 85, of Greensburg, died Dec. 12, 2025. She was born March 20, 1940, in Shelbyville, Indiana, to Clyde and Josephine (Phipps) Stainbrook.
Huber was a high school graduate and worked for many years in the cafeteria at Delta Faucet, where she was known for her strong work ethic and caring nature. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading, coloring and flowers, and she especially loved the Christmas season. Family was central to her life, and she treasured time spent with loved ones.
Survivors include her children, Thomas (Carolyn) Huber, Chris (Jody) Huber, Sherri (James) Capps and Brian Huber; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Sharon (Gene) Baugh. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Nancy Stainbrook; and two brothers, Jimmy Stainbrook and Dick Stainbrook.
A private burial will be held at Union Chapel Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared at gilliland-howe.com.