Sunday, September 8, 2024
From the Editor’s Desk: A Weekend in Tremont
Top left: Shelbyville Central Schools teachers Kristiaan Rawlings, Shanae Dees, Justin Stenger and Scott Hughes participate in a teacher professional development training yesterday in the Smoky Mountains in preparation for the 2025 student trip. Top right, then clockwise: Stenger, Dees and Hughes prepare to partake in the “Tremont Challenge,” which involved putting their heads under the Spruce Flats Falls for 10 seconds. | staff photos
by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Imagine a road trip with colleagues to the Smoky Mountains, complete with an obligatory stop at Buc-ees, traffic delays and driving rain. I can only imagine it, too, because my fellow Shelbyville Middle School teachers picked me up last night near the Knoxville airport - scheduling conflicts, you know - after experiencing all of the above on a seven-plus-hour drive. (“Near” the airport because I arrived at the foothills an hour-and-a-half before them, well-rested, and met them at a local gas station to save time.)
Shanae Dees, SMS art teacher, and I have participated in several weekend teacher trainings at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont over the years. This was Digital Tools teacher Justin Stenger’s first trip. And we’re all here thanks to Scott Hughes, who is bringing Biology students here for experiential education in early 2025 for the school’s 15th excursion. Combine that with the separate, required teacher training weekend, and Hughes has been here well over 30 times, including two years in his early teaching career with Switzerland County and trips with his family, starting with his own honeymoon in the area.
The SMS school trips have included hundreds of students, dozens of teachers and even an administrator over the years.
“Short-term, I want students to have fun in nature and without electronics,” Hughes said. (Cell service is unavailable, and Hughes has long discouraged students from bringing phones, since wifi is also only available to staff.) “Long-term, I’d like the students and the adults to get outdoors. I think of it as planting acorns; many of these students will someday have their own families and will take them out in nature if they develop a love for it now.”
Hughes, who is also known for leading a group of local kayakers known as “the plastic Navy” on over 80 trips over the past few years, gets personal satisfaction from organizing the annual Tremont trip, to be attended this year by over 30 students.
Event planning kicks into high gear when teachers go to the weekend training, this year attended by over 85 teachers from various states. Yesterday’s agenda included a hike to the Spruce Flats Falls, stream explorations and evening events. (My three colleagues are folk dancing right now while I use this article as an excuse to find wifi.)
Dees said she appreciates the opportunity to step back.
“I enjoy slowing down to observe the small things in such a vast space,” she said.
Those “small things” included finding and drawing tulip poplar leaves in one session. (An example of Dees’ work and mine is below. A cutline probably isn’t necessary to point out which was hers.)
Although this is Stenger’s first time to Tremont, he’s a regular in Hughes’ school Hiking Club, a group open to all SMS students that visits various state parks and urban trails.
“This is a level up,” Stenger said at dinner, which consisted of gluten-free vegetable soup. “Nature has such a positive impact on students.”
I agree, and have routinely used techniques learned at the Institute in my English Language Arts classes, both in the classroom and in our district’s ecology lab. The hands-on learning, critical thinking and problem-solving inherent in outdoor activities make them a perfect fit for thinkers and future leaders. My disappointment at leaving the Smokies each time is only equaled by my excitement to return home and implement new practices in the classroom, and to return here again with students to see them experience the joys of nature for themselves.
Today, our last day of training, includes a “Rivers and Reflections” class and closing circle. Then, it’s time for the long drive back to Shelbyville. For my colleagues, that is; I’ll be taking a little detour in Knoxville.
BELOW: Shanae Dees’ depiction of a leaf (top) is shown in comparison to Rawlings’ end product (bottom).
NOTEBOOK:
NATIONAL NEWS: There are 1.5 million tonnes of munitions on the seafloors of the Baltic and North seas, remnants of the World Wars. The process of removing them is getting urgent, as weapon casings are breaking apart and will release carcinogens into the seas. After the war, all the major parties had to get rid of their armaments, and many of them just dumped them at sea rather than try to decommission them on land. Lots of that took place in German waters. (Hakai/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
March 25, 1959, Part II
If Mr. Sharp were to call “John” to the office, 28 SHS boys would answer the call, for John is the most popular name for a boy in SHS. From the senior class would come six Johns: Stiencker, Spiegel, Osborne, Brant, Boyle and Bass. Six more would come from the juniors: Alexander, Comstock, Martin, Schlick, Wolfe and Scudder. Eight sophomore Johns would join the procession: Liverseidge, McClain, Nelson, Doub, Thornburg, Elliott, Rouse and Westerfield. Ending the parade would be eight more Johns from the freshman class: Breeding, Cord, Cooper, Drew, Fischer, Tobin, Emerson and Harding. Second name in the popularity poll is Larry, with 26 boys in SHS answering the call. Other names which follow closely are Steve, with 22 representatives, 20 Bills, 19 Davids, 18 Roberts, and 17 each of James and Jerry.
Concessions were part of the Squib staff business. Ralph Rudd was manager, and the boys who helped him were Wendell Drew, Larry Dodds, Larry Gehr, Don Hogan, Doyle Chaney, Don Howery and Bill Dellekamp. Girl concession workers also helped, and were distinguished from other basketball fans by their black skirts, white blouses and golden yellow aprons. They were Donna West, Linda Stanley, Kay Bennett, Linda Miller, Marlene Bennett, Martha Roberson, Nancy Handy, Diana Biddle, JuWana Gaines, Mary Eden, Susan Flater, Barbara Campbell, JoAnn Austin, Charlene Benefiel, Linda Eidem, Anna Brackman, Sharon Browning, Janet Mohr, Sharon Beckley, Carol Riser, Joan Webster and Nancy Kohler.
Sixty-five sophomores and juniors had signed up for Discussion Group, sponsored by Ray Hinshaw, SHS American History teacher.
Bill Garrett, SHS class of 1947, had just coached Crispus Attucks to the state basketball championship, becoming the first person to win the tournament as a student and as a coach.
Farmers National Bank bought a Burroughs posting machine for the SHS Commercial Department.
In alumni news, Private Jimmy Jacobs (‘58) had arrived on Okinawa with the 96th Artillery Group of the U.S. Army. Susie Sarringhaus (‘56) was elected treasurer of the I.U. Zeta Tau Alpha chapter. Nelda Thurston (‘58) had been capped at the Indianapolis General Hospital School of Nursing. And John Reece (‘55), son of SHS English teacher Mrs. Reece, was on the Dean’s list at Denison University, where he was a senior.
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: In 2013, Loper Elementary had started a Star Citizen Program in which one student from each class was nominated monthly. Brothers Max, Cole and Sam Jones, all in different classrooms, were all selected in the first month of the year. In 2014, the three brothers were all selected again in the first month. “They are good, smart kids and they behave the same way I would expect my children to behave in school,” Principal Brent Baker said.
2004: Shelbyville emergency personnel saved a capsized fisherman on E. Lake on the east side of North State Road 9, behind Tobacco Road and the Hampton Inn. The man had been pulling backward on his fishing line when he fell overboard, and his clothing became tangled in his trolling motor. When he got free of the motor, he attempted to guide the boat to shore but was unable to do so. Firefighter Mike Haehl swam out to meet him and State Police Sgt. Perry Hewitt pulled the pair to safety on the bank. State Trooper Rob Jones escorted the soaked fisherman up the bank.
1994: Kmart announced it would close its Shelbyville store on Feb. 12, 1995. The company cited failing to meet sales requirements as a reason for closing. Target had closed a few years earlier and the J.C. Penney store in Belaire had closed at the end of 1993.
1984: Shelbyville Central Schools distributed calendars listing major school events to each parent.
1974: “The Great Gatsby” and “Benji” were on at the Cinema. The ad for “Benji” asked: “When was the last time you sat in a theatre and cheered out loud?”
Thirty adult evening courses were offered at Shelbyville High School. They ranged from American Government to Welding.
1964: Local Realtor Elmer Armstrong, 85, died. Armstrong had been in the real estate business since 1916 and had specialized in farm properties.
A large self-propelled power crane overturned at the north edge of Fairland while removing sections of old railroad ties and rails.
Wayne Dale, 36, and Clifford Nasby, 42, Waldron volunteer firemen, were injured while putting out a fire at a vacant house. The wooden ladder they had been on gave way, sending Dale, who was at least 20 feet up, to the ground. Nasby suffered minor injuries after falling 10 feet.
1954: The Flat Rock Volunteer Fire Department obtained a new tanker. Charles Warner, Cleamon Barnes, Alexander Hines, Norman and Lloyd Barnett and Wally Harrod were the first to inspect the new machine.
Lew Wilkinson, 13, had polio. His was the first local case reported in the year.
1944: Pvt. Pentzer McNay was in a hospital in England after suffering a spinal injury during a practice parachute jump. Pvt. McNay wrote to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer McNay, that it was “awfully lonesome lying here in this hospital bed.”
1934: A GOP Women’s Club was formed, headed by Chloe Schoolcraft.
1924: Police were called to the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Marsh on West Taylor St. to a report that someone had stolen a gold watch and a purse from their hiding places. While searching with the police, Mrs. Marsh found the items under the couch, where she forgot she had placed them the day before.
A tailor who had recently set up shop disappeared, taking customers’ clothing and leaving unpaid bills. Police tracked him to Aurora, Ind., from which he had come and had left under similar circumstances before coming to Shelbyville.
1914: Blount Parrish was arrested on a charge of allowing minors to play pool at the Cassady Pool Room.
OBITUARIES
Theresa M. Kasper Claxton passed away on Friday, September 6, 2024. She was born on February 7, 1929, to Charles and Laura Bloom Kasper in Madison, Ind. Theresa was of the second-youngest of 13 children. She is survived by her youngest brother, Johnny Kasper.
Theresa married Robert (Bob) Hugh Claxton Sr. on June 20, 1948 in Madison. Bob Sr. preceded Theresa in death on November 30, 2020, after 72 years of marriage. Upon marriage, they moved and started their family in Franklin, Ind. in 1949. In Franklin, they started a family, worked, and worshipped until they moved to Shelbyville, Ind. in 2019. Bob and Theresa raised five children: Paula, Bob Jr., Jeff, Charles, and Michael. Theresa and Bob dedicated their lives to raising the children as well as being active members of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Theresa participated in Kappa Kappa Sigma and Girls Inc. of Franklin. Her favorite activity was being a servant to the Lord through activities at St. Rose Church. For most of her life, Theresa sought out those who were in need and found ways to assist and improve their lives.
Theresa is survived by her five children, 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Theresa was preceded in death by daughter-in-law Gloria M. Zanetti Claxton (Jeff) on April 5, 2006, and grandson Zachary Morgan on December 4, 2017. Survivors include Paula Claxton Morgan (Mike), and son Jarek (Kristen); Jarek and Kristen have three children, Maxwell, Evelyn, and Samuel; Bob Claxton Jr. (Susan) and sons Ryan (Jennie), Brady (Ashley) and Brett (Angela). Ryan and Jennie have two daughters, Emma and Sophie. Brady and Ashley have three children, Caden, Chloe, and Carson. Brett and Angela have two children, Cash and Cora; Jeff Claxton (Olga) and daughters Katie Perez (Marcos) and Jessica McNeal (Nate); Katie and Marcos have one child, Lorenzo; Jessica and Nate have one child, Maddux. Charles Claxton (Julie) and sons Evan (Tanya), Aaron (Morgan) and Alex (Avery); Evan and Tanya have one daughter, Marley; Michael Claxton (Becky) and children Marshall (Anna), Gabrielle and Bryce; Marshall and Anna have two children, Marion and Lucy.
Theresa was so many things to all who knew her. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mom, and “Nana.” She was the glue that held the family together. The family can only pray we made her proud.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, September 9, 3:30 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 114 Lancelot Drive, Franklin, Indiana, 46131. Visitation for Family and Friends will be Sunday, September 8, 2 - 4 p.m. at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 North Morton Street (U.S. 31 North), in Franklin. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 114 Lancelot Drive, Franklin, Indiana, 46131.
REVISED
Carol Antle, 88, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2024, at The Willows of Shelbyville. She was born December 29, 1935, in Beech Grove, Ind., to Martin Carr and Joan (Weakley) Carr.
Carol enjoyed playing bridge with her bridge club. Her favorite pastime was reading and teaching kids how to read during her 30 years of employment at the Shelby County Library.
Carol is survived by her sons, Steve Antle (wife, Carla) of Franklin and Tim Antle of Shelbyville; her daughter, Jean Day; her grandchildren, Devon Day, Adlen Antle, and Jyllian Antle; four great-grandchildren; and her brother, Martin “Bud” Carr. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her son, Greg Antle.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. A graveside service will follow at 1: 30 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Carol’s family. Memorial contributions honoring Carol, may be given to the Shelby County Public Library, 57 W. Broadway Street, Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.