Sunday, November 2, 2025
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‘TIS THE SEASON
Shoppers browse booths featuring handmade gifts and holiday decor during the 53rd annual Shelbyville Gift & Hobby Show yesterday afternoon at Shelbyville Middle School. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Shelby County Players to Set Sail with ‘Pirates of the Amazon’
Wyatt Schonfeld, as Roderick, practices a rope swing from the set early last week. Below, Peyton Rader (Peg) and Raya Sizemore (Amelia) rehearse a scene. | photos by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
The Shelby County Players will bring adventure and laughter to the stage with “Pirates of the Amazon: The Treasure of Mystery Island,” opening Friday, Nov. 7, at the Wortman Family Civic Theatre on Miller Avenue.
The family-friendly production follows Jenny Silver, the clever and courageous daughter of Long John Silver, who captains a pirate ship crewed almost entirely by women. On her quest to uncover what happened to her long-lost father, Jenny crosses paths with her runaway niece Amelia, a scheming first mate named I-Patch, and a spirited mermaid named Ethel. Along the way, danger and hidden secrets await as the crew hunts for treasure on the mysterious island.
Director Debbie Stafford said this year’s Young Audience Production is especially exciting because it marks the first time the Players have staged a children’s show in their own theater since before the pandemic.
“I’m excited about having all the second- and third-graders come to see it,” she said of the annual daytime field trip. “I’m also excited about all the new technology we’re able to use and what we can do with this stage. It’s wonderful to have this production back home.”
The show features a wide-ranging local cast, including family pairs and siblings performing together. Stafford noted that one performer even brings a live owl to the stage, a substitute for the parrot originally written into the story. “He has a barn owl he works with through Barnyard Country Pals,” she said. “When the parrot we used before passed away, he decided to bring the owl instead, so I rewrote that part into the show.”
Among the performers is Elizabeth Washburn, who said she’s eager to share the results of weeks of rehearsal. “I’m really looking forward to people being able to see everything we’ve worked on,” Washburn said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to hear their laughter from backstage. I think they’ll find it pretty funny.”
Washburn, a longtime participant in SCP productions, said her introduction to theater came through her mother’s encouragement. “She signs me up for everything she can find,” Washburn said with a laugh. “But I actually ended up loving it. My first play was “Robin Hood,” and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
“Pirates of the Amazon” runs Nov. 7-9 and Nov. 14-16, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain, and the show runs approximately 60 minutes. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for youth ages 21 and younger.
Cast and crew include Letitia Clemons as Mrs. Hook/Ethel; Janell Coffey as I-Patch; Abigail Andrews as Tessie; Yvette Clemons as Jenny; Raya Sizemore as Amelia; Raelynn Ramsey as Butler 1/Elvis; Anessa Ramsey as Agatha/Rosie/Queenie; Elizabeth Washburn as Carraway; Zoe Graves as Bertha; Wyatt Schonfeld as Roderick; Luke Schonfeld as Parrot; Dion Lee as Kangaroo Jack/Monster; Isabella Logan as Sally; Peyton Rader as Peg; Nancy Worland as Lady Virginia; and Katie McFarland as Butler 2/Elmo.
Behind the scenes are Cindy Leahy, producer; Debbie Stafford, director; Laura Stieneker-Taylor, stage manager; Tyler Riley, props; Bill Taylor, set design; Patrick Hoban and Larry Drake, set construction; Max Muska, light and sound design; and Toby Schonfeld, costumes.
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NOTEBOOK:
The Waldron Mohawks claimed the 8-man state football championship Saturday with a decisive 34-6 home victory over the Tri-State Crusaders. After a slow start, Waldron tied the game 6-6 at halftime before dominating the second half with 28 unanswered points to secure the win and the program’s first state title.
For the second consecutive year, Indiana Landmarks has included the Rudicel-Montgomery Polygonal Barn in Shelby County on its list of the “10 Most Endangered” landmarks in Indiana. Built in 1910 by George Rudicel, the 12-sided barn is one of fewer than 10 of its kind still standing. Mostly vacant and in need of extensive, costly repairs, the barn requires urgent investment. A recent study funded by Indiana Landmarks, the Indiana Barn Foundation, and the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) outlined critical steps for rehabilitation. Donations to the Rudicel-Montgomery Barn preservation effort will be doubled by BRCF, helping protect this rare architectural gem and preserve Shelby County’s agricultural heritage. With support from Shelby County Tourism, the Indiana Barn Foundation, Indiana Landmarks, and the Montgomery family, organizers hope to ensure the barn stands for another century as a symbol of the county’s shared spirit and resilience. The 1:1 matching opportunity is available only during November. Donations may be made to the Historic Preservation Fund administered by BRCF online, or by check payable to BRCF, 54 W. Broadway, Shelbyville, with “Historic Preservation Fund” noted in the memo line. Checks may be mailed or dropped off.
HOOSIER NEWS: The Brown County Plan Commission is weighing how to handle a growing number of complaints about people living in campers and RVs, which aren’t legally recognized as dwellings under local or state law. Health officials said most complaints stem from improper waste disposal, while residents argued rising housing costs are forcing more people into temporary living situations. Commissioners acknowledged the need for some flexibility, with one noting that “no one aspires to live in a camper,” but stopped short of adopting new rules. The commission will revisit the issue after reviewing public input. (Indiana Public Media)
NATIONAL NEWS: The U.S. housing market is seeing its lowest turnover rate in nearly 30 years, with only 28 of every 1,000 homes changing hands between January and September. The slowdown reflects a combination of high mortgage rates, limited job mobility, and homeowners reluctant to give up low-interest loans secured in 2020–21. Despite a modest uptick in sales as mortgage rates ease, affordability remains a major barrier, with home prices up 53% in six years. (IBJ)
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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: Shelbyville High School seniors Jennifer Plymate and Ivan Toliver were nominated for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, which recognized students who excelled in academics, athletics, and community service. Both ranked in the top 20 percent of their class and served as student ambassadors, volunteering in local schools and community programs. Toliver played multiple sports and was active in his church, while Plymate captained the volleyball team, led the National Honor Society, and planned to study at a liberal arts college.
1995: The Shelbyville News reported a sharp increase in Internet use, with most users logging on from their offices rather than at home. Most online users held college degrees and earned higher incomes. According to national data cited in the article, men initially dominated Internet use, but the number of women going online was steadily rising.
Editor’s Note: The following item in yesterday’s edition was inaccurately listed under 2005 instead of 1995. W.S. Major Hospital joined the computer age with the launch of a new computerized clinical data system. The upgrade allowed doctors, including radiologist Dr. Paul Inlow, to access and record patient information electronically, replacing stacks of paper files. Hospital CEO Anthony Lennen said the move marked a major step toward faster, more efficient record-keeping and patient care.
1985: Waldron captured the Shelby County volleyball championship, led by players Julie Fagel, Judy Gilles, Amy Hewitt, Lori Murphy, Jana Newton, Rebecca Harker, Melissa Shirk, Samantha Cooper, Missy Jackman, Suzie Fischer, and Tonya Stewart. The team was guided by head coach Sandy Shaw and assistant coach Sharon Jackson, with support from managers Julie Hughes, Alison Bush, and Leigh Ann Weaver.
1975: For the first time, two local law enforcement officers each shot perfect scores of 100 in the annual Emmert Trophy Shoot held at the F.O.P. range on Knightstown Road. Officer Maynard Hill earned top honors, followed by Sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Shaw and State Officer David Hart. The event drew 31 shooters, with 17 scoring 90 or higher and trophies awarded to the top three marksmen.
1965: Winners of the “Belaire Goblin Days” promotion at Belaire Shopping Center and the “Ridiculous Days” event downtown were announced by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. At Belaire, 186 children had joined the Halloween costume parade and enjoyed refreshments. Costume winners of $25 U.S. Savings Bonds were Dean Fair, Mauri Sasher, Lisa Ann Foltz, and sisters Candy Jo and Catherine Lynne Halcom.
Norman R. Winkler, Shelbyville’s newest justice of the peace, opened an office at City Hall and announced his public hours. His office, located in Room 10 on the second floor, was previously used by justices Jack Small and Paul Murray. Winkler planned to be available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7 to 9 p.m. and on request from law enforcement officers at other times.
1955: The Fairland Methodist Church congregation held a daylong celebration marking the 100th anniversary of its first church building. The event included Sunday school, worship, a pitch-in dinner and a special address by Rev. James Cox Jr., son of a former pastor. Historical records noted that the church began around 1855 and was completed in 1858, with roots tracing back to the Sugar Creek circuit formed in 1847.
About 70 representatives from local industrial and retail businesses visited Shelbyville schools as part of the first Education-Industry-Business Day. Superintendent J.W.O. Breck outlined the local school system before the visitors toured Shelbyville and Addison Township schools. Principals explained school operations and courses of study, with time set aside for questions and discussion.
1945: Helen’s Coffee Shop, located in the Shelby Hotel building, expanded its operations by extending business hours. The restaurant was open daily except Tuesdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
1935: Nearly 5,000 people had gathered on Public Square for the city’s first Halloween parade and street dance. About 400 costumed participants, including characters from fiction, cartoons and nursery rhymes, marched from the courthouse before dancing to live music by Jane’s Melody Aces. Judges named winners in adult and children’s costume contests, with Paul and Hubert Henderson and Paul Sweet and Lucille Sutherland among the top prize recipients.
1925: A new organization called the Life Saving Scouts was set to form in Shelbyville, inviting boys between the ages of 12 and 16 to join. Captain Earl Ellis of the Salvation Army, serving as physical instructor, and George Kearney, acting as scoutmaster, were to lead the group. The scouts, part of a worldwide Salvation Army program, planned to hold their first meeting and a basketball game at the old scout hall on West Hendricks Street.
1915: Local jokester Phil Hunker had found himself the target of a surprise Halloween “kissing bee” when two masked women caught him outside Harry Hill’s drug store. The pair and several others took turns showering him with kisses as bystanders laughed and cheered. Hunker tried to escape into the store, but the determined women followed, leaving him thoroughly “smothered with kisses and hugs.”
Members of the Shelbyville Council of Clubs planned to address public health concerns by advocating for sanitary drinking fountains on the Public Square. The group criticized existing fountains that used shared cups, calling them potential spreaders of disease. Meeting at the home of Mrs. Harry C. Morrison, the women pledged to support sanitary officer Harry Carter in enforcing health regulations and pushing for the installation of modern bubble fountains.
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OBITUARIES
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