Sunday, July 20, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
REUNION PREPARATION
Shelbyville High School Class of 1965 members Chris Rehms, Kay Worland, Greg Hall, Billie (Helsman) Stieneker, Phil Stieneker, Mona Bernard and Jim Tragesser meet Friday to discuss the upcoming class reunion. / photo by ANNA TUNGATE
SHS Courier: A Tradition
Editor’s Note: With Shelbyville Central Schools registration opening tomorrow, I am once again preparing to serve as advisor to the SHS Squib (yearbook) and Courier (student news). Hannah Baker, a senior, is returning for her second year as Squib editor-in-chief. I’ve been fortunate to work with the best of the best in that role, with Ella Johnson and Isabella Matney serving as co-editors during my first year as advisor, before Baker stepped up to lead the staff of 35 last year.
The article below offers a look at the Courier’s history — full of ups and downs. I’m excited to teach new Digital Media courses this year, so you’ll see the Courier’s continued resurgence with articles appearing both on the SHS website and here in The Addison Times.
by LAURA SIMICH (1974)
The following article, published in the Courier, was written by Laura Simich in April 1974.
Long ago, when skirts brushed shoe tops and families took their meals together, when girls went uptown on Saturdays for a weekly sundae and young men sauntered down to the railroad tracks to witness the train’s passing, when “spooning” was as popular as ever, SHS had a newspaper.
The history of the Courier dates back 50 years, having its origin in 1924. However, the history of the publications of Shelbyville High School reaches much further back in the city’s past, even before what used to be known as the Charles Major School building was the home of the student journalists and their subject matter — SHS.
In May of 1930, the first publication of the high school was found. Mr. John Day DePrez, who was secretary of the Reporter Company, related a short history of the organization of the paper:
“In December 1887, Ora Means, Frank Kent, Shelley Corsey, James Hill, Carl G. Winter, and John Day DePrez, then students of Shelbyville High School, located in building No. 1, now supplanted by the Major School, got together and organized a little company to issue a school paper. Douglas Dobbins, then principal of the high school, joined the boys. The company was called the Reporter Company, and each contributed five dollars, expecting to get rich quickly.
“The first issue came out on Jan. 13, 1888, and was called the High School Reporter. It was four pages of two columns, each nine and one-half inches long. The first few issues were printed on a press owned by Carl Winter, a member of the company.
“The boys expected the success to be instantaneous, but after seven or eight issues, the company went broke. Unfortunately, neither the student body nor the merchants of Shelbyville seemed to be much interested.”
In 1902, a school paper was again established by Bert Morris, this time called The Squib, a sheet appearing at first every two weeks and later, monthly. Although the publication was a creditable success, it was decided by the 1909 senior class that an annual was preferable, and The Squib as a newspaper was discontinued. While several attempts were made to revive the school paper in subsequent years, the school was at that time too small to support both a newspaper and a yearbook.
Finally, in the fall of 1921, a successful paper, The Key, was founded through the encouragement of Mr. Kibbey, the principal, and Miss Weigand of the English department. No doubt a competent staff and a spirited student body ensured the paper’s short-lived prosperity.
When 1924 rolled around, the nameplate was changed once again to the Courier, in hopes of rescuing the failing tradition of a high school newspaper.
The first copy of the semi-monthly Courier (Gold and Black) was published Nov. 11, 1924, and sold for 10 cents a copy, while season ticket holders were entitled to a free subscription. The faculty advisor was Miss Richey, and two of the staffers were Mr. Louis Kuhn, assistant editor, and Mr. Ray Hinshaw, exchange editor, both of whom returned to teach at SHS and retired only recently.
The Courier was a continued success until 1933, when financial difficulties prevented its printing for five years. From 1938 to 1940, the paper resumed publication under the direction of advisors Louis A. Kuhn and Charles Sims, but the Courier was not printed again until 1950 due to lack of faculty sponsorship.
One decade of a paper-less school was enough, so with the ’50s came a new Courier, Miss Marion Chenoweth acting as advisor. This successful publication appeared every three weeks until Mr. Howard Ribble became the advisor in 1965. Five years later, Mrs. Mary Agler, the present advisor, assumed the role of faculty sponsor. This year, for the first time, the Courier is being published in cooperation with The Shelbyville News, rather than being printed professionally or at school, as in the past.
High school publications — namely SHS’s own Courier — have come a long way, changing with attitude yet also reflecting the timeless nature of youth. Remaining the only self-supported student activity and surviving mechanical and financial difficulties many times over — and yes, even the necessary evils of advisors and editors — the tradition of a school paper will hopefully continue to be an institution of the students, by the students, and for the students of SHS.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
Major Health Partners (MHP) in Shelbyville has been named one of the “100 Great Community Hospitals” in the United States by Becker’s Hospital Review, one of just three Indiana hospitals to earn the 2025 recognition. The list highlights hospitals that provide exceptional care, prioritize patients, and positively impact their communities. MHP, a 46-bed hospital, is known for offering advanced services such as cancer care, heart care, and robot-assisted surgery, and its imaging department ranks in the top 7% nationally for patient satisfaction. President and CEO Ryan Claxton credited the hospital’s dedicated staff for the honor, calling it a testament to their commitment to high-quality, innovative care.
Morristown Derby Days are Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26. The Adult Soapbox Derby is Friday, 6 p.m., on North Street. The P.O.G. (Paul Otis Goble) Run is Saturday, 8:15 - 10 a.m. The Derby Days Parade, with Grand Marshal Dan Theobald, Morristown Jr.-Sr. High School assistant principal and athletic director, starts at 11 a.m., with the Soapbox Derby following. A full schedule of events is posted here.
The Shelby County Plan Commission will meet on Tuesday, July 22 at 7 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex to consider a rezoning and simple subdivision request near Waldron. The proposal, submitted by the Dagley family, would rezone a 3-acre parcel west of and adjoining 7619 E 300 S, Waldron, from agricultural to residential estate use, allowing for the creation of a single-family building lot. The county planning staff is recommending approval given that the property is designated as not prime farmland.
MHP Nephrology recently received funding through the Health First Indiana Grant to support community education and awareness about kidney disease. As part of this initiative, MHP Nephrology is hosting its first outreach event: Dinner with Dr. Diego, on Monday, July 29, 5:30 p.m., at Cholula Mexican Restaurant. The presentation will be in Spanish and is tailored to the Hispanic community, focusing on the importance of “Knowing Your Numbers” related to chronic kidney disease. The event and dinner are free.
Award-winning young adult author Sarah Hollowell will visit the Shelby County Public Library on Thursday, July 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss her work and read an excerpt. The free event, held at the main library in Shelbyville, includes a book signing.
HOOSIER NEWS: The Washington Nationals selected Jack Moroknek, a Brebeuf Jesuit and Butler University grad and Carmel native with the 321st pick (11th round) during Day 2 of the MLB Draft this week. The 6-foot-3 outfielder projects as a corner outfielder with plus power at the next level. Moroknek also became a hot commodity in the transfer portal, choosing to transfer to powerhouse Texas in the SEC. He now has two weeks to negotiate a contract with the Nationals or honor his commitment to Texas. Last year’s 321st pick, Jon Jon Gazdar, a shortstop out of Austin Peay signed for $250k. There are no slot value restrictions after the 10th round, so MLB teams are free to disburse bonus pool money however they’d like. Last year’s 322nd pick, prep righty Trey Gregory-Alford signed with the Los Angeles Angels for a record $1.96 million. Moroknek is the highest drafted Butler Bulldogs since Ryan Pepiot was selected in the third round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. Outfielder Harrison Freed was also drafted in 2019, going to the San Francisco Giants in the 13th round. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: The curveball is dying in Major League Baseball, with just 8.1 percent of all pitches thrown in the style last year, down from 10.7 percent in 2019. All told, that translates to 22,962 fewer curveballs thrown in 2024 compared to five years ago. For some teams — the Athletics among them — the curveball has all but disappeared, accounting for just 2.5 percent of pitches this season. They are the slowest pitches — averaging just 80.2 miles per hour — but tend to be loopier, and the style these days is fastballs. While there were only 214 pitches over 100 miles per hour in 2008, this season we’re on track to reach 3,252. (AP/Numlock)
The Addison Times is pleased to offer free milestone announcements. Forms are available here: Engagement Announcement, Wedding Announcement and Anniversary Announcement.
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
March 1974, Part II
There were three times as many girls as boys in the top 15 percent of the class of 1974. Those 46 students were (girls) Jane E. Alexander, Gina Lynn Alvis, Carol Lee Askey, Sharon Leigh Ballard, Sheryl Jean Bradshaw, Kim Renee Conrad, Anna Maria Corbett, Beverly Ann Cuzzort, Deborah Ann Debusk, Carla Rose Drake, Sara Jane Elder, Julie Gail Everman, Linda Sue Frank, Lynn D. Gessling, Ruth Marie Jeffries, Susan Louise Kimmey, Karen Beth LeClerc, Georgia Kay Marshall, Barbara Jo Pickett, Elaine Louise Pritchard, Bobbie Lorane Reed, Shelley Malone Roberts, Janet Marie Rutherford, Carol Ann Shaw, Laura Lee Simich, Renae Lynn Skinner, Jama Steffey, Peggy Ann Stroup, Shawn Kay Teasley, Paula Sue Underwood, Mary A. Weissenberger, Gayle Lee Wiley, Pamela Marie Wolsiefer and Susan Kay Young, and (boys) Michael J. Conti, William Cranford, Bruce A. Everhart, Steven D. Huber, Ronald D. Hurst, Eric Linne, Kevin Metz, Kevin M. McKenney, Mark Kevin Risley, John Thomas Wilkinson and Marlin Wilson.
Mr. Bill Murphy, a member of the North Central Association Evaluation Team, had recently spent four days evaluating Mishawaka High School.
Mike Wood was named Golden Bear of the Month for March. Mike was the top advertising salesman for the Courier. He had singlehandedly sold hundreds of Couriers downtown and in the community. He was also co-editor of Scribe Magazine.
A toilet overflowed in the 400 hallway. “The stairs were like a waterfall - little Niagara to be exact.”
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: Fans gathered at Three Sisters Books & Gifts, 7 Public Square, before the midnight release of the sixth book in the Harry Potter series. More than 70 people attended the Harry Potter party, and Tyler Combs, 12, a student at Shelbyville Middle School, won the Harry Potter look-alike contest.
1995: The U.S. Justice Department said it was satisfied with changes to City Hall to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The man who had filed a complaint said he was appreciative of Mayor Bob Williams’ approach to updating the facility.
1985: U.S. Senator Richard Lugar would be the guest of honor at the upcoming Shelby County Republican Party’s reception at the Holiday Inn, party officials announced. Lugar was also a former mayor of Indianapolis.
1975: Pat Ryan of Ryan Farm Service filed a $60,000 lawsuit after a truck loaded with 40,000 pounds of copper tubing collapsed his small truck scales. The suit claimed the vehicle far exceeded the scale's intended weight limit and left Ryan unable to operate part of his business.
1965: A newspaper photo showed Michelle Ballenger, Lisa Moyer, Terry Hanahan and Sharon Schilling preparing to perform a patriotic tap routine at the Sugar Creek Township Fair. The show, held at the Boggstown Presbyterian Church, featured the girls in red, white and blue outfits.
1955: Children from the Gordon Children’s Home were scheduled to return to the facility, following their temporary evacuation after a fire on May 23. Although repairs to the home weren’t yet complete, key areas—including the third-floor dormitory and second-floor day room—were prioritized to ensure children could be cared for safely. Mrs. Mary Walker was matron of the home. Work on the matron’s second-floor quarters and other minor repairs would continue. In the meantime, Mrs. Walker planned to use a small, unused dining room as temporary quarters. The large dining area and kitchen on the first floor had been spared from major damage and had already been repainted and renovated.
1945: The city tennis tournament opened at Laura Morrison Park with first-round men’s singles matches. Competitors included Bob Patterson, Norman Morris, Jack McCabe and Bill McKinney, all advancing with wins in the eliminations.
1935: Stunt flier Gene Rock of Fort Wayne was set to headline an air circus at the Shelbyville municipal airport. Sponsored by the American Legion, the show featured a delayed parachute drop from 2,500 feet—Rock’s 185th jump. Military flying demonstrations by the Indiana National Guard’s 113th Observation Squadron were also planned.
1925: A man claiming to represent a local church was detained in Shelbyville after collecting donations under false pretenses. He had solicited funds for the Second Baptist Church, which later confirmed he was unaffiliated with them. Authorities recovered $5.09 and questioned the man, who shared conflicting stories before being released.
1915: After being added to Shelbyville’s “habitual drunkard” list, a man began traveling to nearby Prescott for liquor—and bragged about it, The Republican reported. The list, posted in saloons and drugstores, barred listed individuals from being served alcohol. Two names had been removed for reforming, while three—including the boastful buyer—were newly added. Officers warned that violators and their helpers would be prosecuted.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Jennifer M. (Gibson) Wiley, 44, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2025, at MHP Medical Center. She was born Sept. 25, 1980, in Shelbyville, Indiana, to Sue (Melton) Caplinger.
Jennifer graduated from Shelbyville High School with the Class of 1998. She later earned an associate degree in business from Indiana Wesleyan University. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Job’s Daughters International. She had previously worked at H&R Block and also served as a waitress for many years.
Jennifer was a homemaker and cherished the times spent with her family. She loved attending all her children’s activities, school functions and ballgames. She also had a love for holidays and birthdays, always going above and beyond for every celebration. Jennifer enjoyed shopping, listening to music and was an avid animal lover.
Survivors include her mother, Sue Caplinger (Mark Steve Caplinger); fiancé, Zachery Collier; sons, Lukas Wiley, Blane Wiley, Masen Labrie and Noah Collier; daughters, Kaley Wiley and Alana Wiley; brothers, Justin (Katrina) Watson and Mark Caplinger II; sister, Holly Sweet; niece, Ella Watson; nephew, Jake Sandefur; aunt, Lynn (Jon) Wolfe; cousins, Dane Wolfe and Ethan Wolfe; and best friends, Crystal Nicholson and James Vest. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Albert and Alice Melton; and grandparents, Charles and Essie Caplinger.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. A private graveside service will be held at Whispering Hope Memorial Gardens. Funeral directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Jennifer’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Rosalie M. Gates, 99, of Rushville, passed away Friday, July 18, 2025, at Woodland Terrace in New Palestine. She was born May 6, 1926, in Bermuda, the daughter of Joseph DeCosta Silva and Adelaide Maple Cervallo. In December 2016, she married Lester “Dale” Durbin, and he survives. In addition to Dale, survivors include her children, Suzette Abbott (Rick) of Indianapolis, Cynthia Stafford (Gary) of Rushville, and Steven Gates (Diane) of Stilesville; grandchildren, Jennifer, Cameron, Lauren, Jacob, Austin and Wesley; great-grandchildren, Hallie and Lincoln; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and 10 siblings.
Rosalie worked as a secretary at Lowell Elementary in Indianapolis for 25 years.
Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 124 E. North St. in Morristown. Online condolences may be shared with Rosalie’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.