Sunday, October 13, 2024
1966: In the Evening Come...The Shades
Editor’s note: The following Shelbyville High School Courier article was originally published Nov. 4, 1966.
by Linda Kohr
Today in the world of music it seems the accent is on the beat. The better the beat, the better the group, and since the number of groups is as varied as their names, there is much argument as to the best group. To decide this, contests are held, such as at the Shelby County Fair this summer. The “Battle of the Bands” produced much local talent. All competed for first place and its trophy. The winner: The Shades; but who composes this group, and what are they like?
Chris Hilt, leader and organizer, does his share in belting out the hits on his guitar. “We had the idea of organizing for several months but did nothing about it until last February. We practiced, and in April started getting down to business.” Chris decided that the band would make more money than his paper route. His other interests, or hobbies, are girls, school, and the band; not necessarily in that order.
The drummer, Eric Hilt, not only shares the same name as Chris, but the same mother. Eric is the youngest member of the group, and the newest. “When the other guys would practice, and need a drum in the background, I’d pound a beat out. But I was never really a part of the group until later. I hung around so much, they just accepted me without ever really saying so.” Eric does pretty well in pounding out a beat, according to the other boys. This summer he had a paper route and spent his spare hours practicing.
The bass guitarist, Kevin Steffey, harmonizes with Chris. “The reason for two basses is for a stronger back beat.” This takes skill, and much concentration, and so does riding a Honda. If you were on the streets of the town this summer, you were sure to see Kevin in a whirl of noise and dust. He enjoys the band, and loves to practice.
Rich Burwell, organist for The Shades, sets a pattern for the drummer, and for any major key changes, which takes a quick hand and mind. He is known for his warm smile and curly hair. He swam this summer when not practicing, and traveled to Indianapolis with the combo to concerts given by other bands. “We went to see just what you need to be successful, besides a good song.”
For a good song, you need good song writers. Junior Branson and Bob Critser have produced many songs, such as “Betsy and Need” and others. In their own way, both Junior and Bob are leaders in the group. Junior is the lead guitarist, and therefore provides most of the melody. He occasionally joins in singing harmony or lead, depending on the song. Junior worked this summer on a farm, where he was known for his quick smile. He is also a drum major. “Being a drum major is fun, but a lot of hard work. That's why I like being in The Shades. It's fun.”
The other drum major in the group, and the final member of the group, is Bob Critser. Bob strums a rhythm guitar, and poses as lead singer, where he must carry a melody, and keep the audience’s attention. With his wide smile and good looks, this is an easy task. Bob spent his summer time at the Porter Pool as a lifeguard. When he wasn't there, he was camping with his family at Versailles. “The beach is great, but it’s good to get home and practice. Of course, it's not all work. Kids come over; when we take a break, we goof off.”
The county victory enabled The Shades to try tougher competition at the Indianapolis State Fair, where they received third place for the individual day competition. “We were pretty nervous, but not as much as at the county fair,” commented Rich.
NOTEBOOK:
NATIONAL NEWS: Weeds are winning again, with herbicide-resistant strains emerging from 273 weed species, developing resistances to any of 168 different herbicides, and, more concerning, developing resistance to 21 out of the 31 known modes of action, which are the biochemical targets of the chemicals that kill the plants. Water hemp, for instance, grows an inch per day or more, and is now resistant to seven classes of herbicides. That’s quite bad, as season-long water hemp can cut soybean yields by 44 percent and cut corn yields by 15 percent. (MIT Technology Review/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
Nov. 4, 1966
Recent graduate John Robert Hayes, 18, 1021 Spring Hill, had been elected president of the 6,000-member Indiana University Freshman Class.
Philip E. Haehl was awarded Eagle Rank at a ceremony in Indianapolis. Haehl was a member of Troop 202, sponsored by First Presbyterian Church. Ray Sears was Scoutmaster.
Students extended their condolences to Mr. Marvin Wood, Athletic Director, regarding the recent death of his mother, Iris Wood. Students also sent get-well cards to Mrs. Katherine Reece, Miss Blanche Ashby (retired in 1963) and former Superintendent Mr. J.W.O. Breck, who were all in the hospital.
Former SHS teacher Dan Kocher was named Professor of Speech at Franklin College.
Elected Mask and Dagger officers were Sonny Burnside, Cydney Finkel, Mary Coffin and Kathy Gardner.
Student Council elected officers. Bill Haehl was president. New members of the Executive Committee were Phil Haehl, Jerrel Dewitt and Melissa Miller. Decoration Committee members were Noell Worland, Susan Holtel, Lisa Phares, Christi Eads, Ann Zeller, Bill Karnowsky and Tim Thompson.
Paula Howard, a senior at Ball State, and William Murphy, a graduate of SHS and I.U. and teacher at Rushville, were guest speakers at the Future Teachers Club meeting.
“After hiring private detectives and following up on several clues, the whereabouts of four former SHS teachers have been discovered.” David Sebree, who had taught biology, had worked at PGP over the summer and then returned home to Kentucky to teach. William McFerran had moved to Triton Central. Charles Linsmith was at Bedford’s Consolidated High School. Miss Williams, who directed SHS art students for 20 years, had retired and moved home to Pulaski County, Indiana.
Mike Gaffney, a freshman at SHS, had traveled to England in the summer as a Boy Scout representative for the Salvation Army.
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: Editor’s note: Due to a microfilm processing error, the 2014 section for the next couple of weeks will serve to memorialize a local individual who passed away that year.) Marian June Cherry, 79, died Jan. 27, 2014. Marian Anderson graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1952 and married Harold Cherry on June 20, 1952. She was a clerk in the offices of the Shelby County Prosecutor, Recorder, Clerk and Assessor for 17 years. She was survived by her husband and sons, Greg Cherry and Kent Cherry.
2004: Karlene English, 104, had not missed a vote since 1920. The McKay Manor resident had voted in the first election after women won the right to vote. “I’ve always worked behind the scenes for the Republican Party,” English told Judy Sprengelmeyer with The Shelbyville News. “My husband was a Democrat when I met him, but FDR took care of that and turned him into a Republican.” Her husband had been Hugh English, president of Kennedy Car Liner and Bag Co., and he had served terms on the county council and school board.
1994: Phyllis Fix, Kem Andreson and David Benson were elected to the Shelby County Fair Association board, succeeding Larry and Debbie Atwood and Martin Zinswer. Carol Thurson was board president. Dallas Phillips, Fix, Margaret Bolinger and Judy Schoentrup were re-elected to officer positions. Holdover directors were Karl Montgomery, Marlin Everhart, Doug Kuhn and Kent Nigh.
Former Shelbyville resident Max DeJonge rejoined O’Neal Steel as president two years after his retirement. DeJonge lived in Birmingham.
1984: Railroad officials announced preliminary plans to bring back passenger service through Shelbyville. The excursion route would run from Cincinnati to Indianapolis, and moonlight excursions, including dinner and music trips, were a possibility. Officials said Shelbyville senior citizens were excited about the excursion plans.
State police found about 2,500 marijuana plants growing in a secluded area of the Atterbury Reserve Forces training center.
The Gloria Marshall Figure Salon had closed about a month prior, but the Klubhaus was renovating part of its building to open a salon using virtually the same exercise equipment as well as a whirlpool, sauna and treadmill.
1974: Nan Lawrence, 124 W. Hendricks St., was crowned Homecoming Queen at halftime of the Shelbyville-Connersville football game. Student Council President Sam Thurston placed the crown, and Gary Abner was Lawrence’s escort.
Shelbyville’s freshman class had the winning float in the Homecoming parade, a dairy motif titled “Cream Connersville.” The Bears won the game, 19-8.
Debbie Osborn was crowned Homecoming Queen at Triton Central. The previous year’s queen, Pam Stafford, placed the crown. Osborne’s escort was Bob Arnold. The senior class won the float competition and “Spirit Stick” for showing the best spirit throughout the week. The Tigers beat Edinburgh, 39-12.
An 8th anniversary dance was held at Thomas Blue River Inn, 23 W. Jackson St., 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
1964: After police arrested Robert Coulston for driving the wrong way around Public Square, on the sidewalk, no less, he was released. They determined that it was his car, but Mike Yarling was actually the driver. He was fined $50.25 and costs and his operator’s license was suspended for six months.
Construction began for a county jail annex building, to house offices and a garage. A dilapidated garage had formerly been on the site.
1954: The Goodman-Jester Department store marked its 44th anniversary with a sale.
1944: Harold Meloy, Shelbyville lawyer and World War II veteran, ran a “get to know the candidate” ad supporting his candidacy for Prosecutor. Meloy was a graduate of Shelbyville High School, Indiana University and IU School of Law. He had practiced law here before serving two years in the Army. “Because of conditions resulting from the war, he is unable to make a house-to-house canvas as he did four years ago when he was a candidate for Prosecutor in the 1940 primary,” the article said.
Janice Kimberling was named editor-in-chief of the Shelbyville High School Squib. Other officers and staff members were Dan Kroggel, Norman Morris, Margaret Gross, Betty Jo David, Mary Livers, Natalie Breedlove, Hester Ann Hale, Martha Hayes, Jane Green, Shirley Tillison, Charles Stone, Betty Sue Perry, Lavonne Bell, Bob Patterson, Bob Stites, Charles Hale, Melvin Wolverton, Jim Yarling, Marilyn Gross, Earlene Morgan, Glen McDonald, Rosamond Henry, Betty Boger, Ed Koch and Margaret Gross.
1934: Dr. William Dane Gordon, 42, died at home in Morristown. He had been sick two days. The coroner said the cause of death was aortic insufficiency. Dr. Gordon was survived by his second wife, Bosie Bell Parnell, and his children, Thomas, William Henry and Jewett May. The children’s mother, Ellen (Thomas), had died eight years prior. Dr. Gordon was a World War I veteran, and at the time of his passing had been captain of the Morristown National Guard.
1924: A gas well was struck on the Leonard Phares farm at Ray’s Crossing. Members of the company were Paul Meltzer, George Barlow, Phares, William Jones, Jacob Neeb and Frank Thomas. The pressure was strong enough to throw a blaze about 15 feet in the air.
1914: An Indianapolis woman was charged on assault and battery of Omer Spurlin, who said the woman lured him down an alley and robbed him.
Nading’s Elevator at Lewis Creek burned to the ground. A freight car loaded with pumpkins standing on the siding also burned. It was the third time in 20 years Nading had lost an elevator by fire. He owned six.
OBITUARIES
None today.