Thursday, November 7, 2024
HOBBY TIME
Shelbyville Middle School student Nelly Contreras Mendoza uses part of passing period to work on a crochet blanket project early this week. “Crocheting helps keep my mind occupied,” Nelly said. But she hates when she has to rip out part of a project and start over. “It is frustrating when you frog; you just ruined your hard work to make it better.” | photos by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
NOTEBOOK:
Like parents, like children. A voluntary school-wide mock vote at Shelbyville Middle School of Tuesday resulted in President Donald Trump receiving 70.9% and Vice President Kamala Harris receiving 24.9% of the vote. Among actual Shelby County voters, Trump received 73% and Harris, 25%.
From the Editor: Supporters - The Fall quarterly magazine is with the printer. I anticipate it should arrive via USPS within the next week. As always, thank you so much for supporting local news and history. I appreciate it. - Kristiaan Rawlings
NATIONAL NEWS: Exports of sake, the Japanese liquor, are up 70 percent over the past three years. While demand for sake has declined domestically in Japan since peaking in the 1970s, exports abroad hit 41.1 billion yen ($270.4 million) last year, with the U.S. being the largest destination, importing 6,500 kiloliters of sake. That’s also interesting because sake is still a drop in the bucket in the United States alcohol business, accounting for just 0.2 percent of the market as of 2020. (Nikkei Asia/Numlock)
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Courier Archive: ‘The End of an Era: Ms. Jones Retires after 35 years
Editor’s note: The following article was published in the May 14, 2008 Courier. Ms. Jones passed away in 2022.
by Andy Fitz and Sarah Snapp, Editors
After 35 years of teaching, English teacher Ms. Marilyn Jones will retire at the end of this year. As all of her students can attest to, Ms. Jones is much more than a teacher. She is, above everything else, a friend. Ms. Jones has made a lasting impact on SHS and will be remembered for many years to come.
Ms. Jones was born in Alexandria, Ind., a small town about 46 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Her desire to teach manifested in her junior year of high school. She was inspired by her English teacher, Mr. Bill Gaither (the same Bill Gaither who won three Grammy Awards as a gospel singer). During high school, Ms. Jones was involved in the school's drama, Latin, science, and math clubs, as well as the school's mock UN called International Relations Club. She was also a member of National Honor Society.
"I was mostly into academics," said Ms. Jones.
After high school she earned her bachelor's degree at Ball State and her master's from Butler. She continued her postgraduate studies at IUPUI.
It seems hard to think of her teaching anything else, but the subject Ms. Jones initially taught at Howe Academy in Indianapolis was not English; it was US history. She did, however, serve as advisor to the school's newspaper. When she began teaching at Shelbyville, she became the advisor of the Squib. She also switched from US history to English.
"English seemed to go better with journalism than US history," said Ms. Jones.
After five years as the Squib advisor, she became advisor of The Courier, a position she has held ever since.
One of Ms. Jones’s greatest moments came in 2006, when Time Magazine published an editorial written by her on its website. The article is titled "Teacher's View: The Human Touch" and is about the importance of getting to know students rather than just teaching them. She wrote, "Teenagers need instruction in English, math or history, but they also want personal advice and encouragement."
She continued, "In my English and journalism classes we talk about Shakespeare and persuasive essays, but we also discuss college basketball, the war in Iraq and career choices. This personal connection is the vital link between teacher and student that no amount of technology can improve upon or replace." These are the values Ms. Jones has taught by for many years and have made her a favorite teacher of many students.
Ms. Jones admits she is not shy about letting students know who she really is.
Her love of football is evident during football season when she joins in with the rest of the school in sporting her favorite Colts’ gear.
She also has a passion for music. She gives piano lessons out of her home in Indianapolis and plans on continuing giving them after her retirement.
Of course, a teacher's side is only half the story. The people on the other side of the desk who get to see her every day have stories to tell as well.
Junior Lindsey Gamrat said, “Ms. Jones is such a good teacher! She really seems to care a lot about her students, and English 10 Honors was so much fun with her last year! I remember we had to do this big research paper and presentation, and I did mine on The Beatles and she cut out information for me and really helped me out. She really cares a lot and is so good at being casual and fun in class while still teaching us a lot. I only got to have her for one year, but I'm going to miss her."
Class of 200 graduate Kiley Joplin also has kind words to share. "Ms. Jones is always encouraging her students and helping them to further their education. She always pushed us to do our best and think outside the box. She rewarded creativity and it's easy to see that she has fun at what she does."
Natalie Munger, graduate of the class of 2007, was able to experience Ms. Jones for three years, one of which was serving as a copy editor for The Courier. "Writing has always been an important part of my life and an avenue to release my feelings. Joining The Courier was one of the best decisions I made during high school. Ms. Jones helped improve my writing skills and was an all-around great mentor. She is going to be greatly missed by many."
Needless to say, Ms. Jones will be missed. She transcended the role of teacher and became so much more. She believes students need more than lecturing and even more than encouragement. They need a friend who they can feel comfortable with talking about anything. Yes, her official title was teacher, but her students will always remember her as a friend.
SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
October 6, 1954, Part II
Jan Garber had performed at the teenage dance at the Elks Club. “Jitterbugging, rumbas, polkas and the bunny hop were just part of the activities the teenagers could take part in and enjoy,” The Courier said. Several students joined Jan on stage with their instruments, including, Willie Wilson, trumpet; Jerry Porter, trombone, Phil Breedlove and John Reece, saxophones; Wayne Barricklow, bass; Willa Jo Barricklow, piano; and Jack Frost, drums. Jim McKeand and Sue Kaufman sang a duet, and McKeand added a solo. Garber’s band played the Indiana University’s school song and asked everyone to sing “Shelby.” Then Jan found a quartet consisting of Marcia Cherry, Pat Hasecuster, Barbara Borel and Bev Muir.
The Sunshine Girls had raised money to purchase a piano for the school assembly room.
Bob Gallagher and Jim Fuller, SHS senior, placed first and second in the Rushville cross country meet. Others placing for the Bears were John Carter, Joe Crosby, Ronnie Mitchell, Roger Knarr, Dave Clapp, Ray Ewick and Larry Phares.
Approximately 160 SHS freshmen attended the Freshman Mixer, held in the Girls Gym. Rosalie Ash won a game prize; Janet Pond and Beverley Lane, accompanied by Diana Page, sant solos; Lee McNeely and Jim Walts performed a pantomime titled, “Hernando’s Hideaway”; and there was dancing and refreshments. Organizers had been George Stubbs, Page, Elaine Long, McNeely, Walts, Nancy Stine, Pond, Jon Bausback, Marcia Yoder, Kenneth Karmire, David Ross, Beverly Stahry, Dixie Hendricks, Brenda Brown, Becky Wolfe and Robert Greenburg.
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.
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.) Robert F. Smith, 83, passed away Oct. 15. He had served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He married Norma Shaffer in 1957, and she preceded him in death in 2010. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge, Elks Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars post, American Legion and the Moose Lodge.
2004: Jim and Joann Farnsley’s farm, established in 1837, was recognized as a Heritage Homestead Farm. Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis presented the award to Mark, Joann, Jim and Jon Farnley.
1994: Kmart held a store closing sale, starting at 25 percent off everything.
1984: Republicans swept local races with 76 percent overall voter turnout. Rep. Stephen Moberly was the only local candidate to receive more votes than President Reagan.
1974: A two and one-half-hour public meeting was held at Triton Central High School to discuss the possibility of year-round school. District officials had proposed a pilot year-round program for children whose parents volunteered to participate.
1964: Jim’s Marathan Service, owned by Jim Wilson, opened in Morristown. The service station was located in a new building in the White-Wortman addition on the west edge of town on U.S. 52.
School bus service resumed for 140 students attending Coulston and Major Schools. The children had been without bus service since state police had condemned the prior buses used.
1954: A direct descendant of Col. Isaac Shelby, a hero of the American Revolution for whom Shelby County and Shelbyville were named, spoke at the Shelby County Historical Society meeting.
Cp. William Thurman and Lt. Robert Clegg, of Shelby County, had been killed in action. Thurman, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thurman, was from Boggstown. Clegg, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonidas Gordon, was from Morristown.
1944: A fire destroyed Charles “Dutch” Weintraut’s barn, three miles from Shelbyville in Liberty Township. The county fire truck, which had been called by a passing truck driver, saved other buildings from being destroyed.
1934: Shelbyville High School basketball players put ballot boxes at local stores to accept suggestions for a new team name. Members of the committee who would decide the new name were Nate Kaufman (alumni), Steve Gutting (representing seniors), Paul Million (juniors), Supt. W.F. Loper, Principal Breck, Assistant Principal Emerson Bass, Coach Paul Lostutter, Carl Humphrey, Martin Schulz and Paul Watters (senior class president).
1924: The Better Business Bureau announced an upcoming “Home Talent Revue” at Paul Cross Gymnasium. “It has been rumored that the chef of Cream of Wheat will be there and that a bevy of chorus girls equal to any in Indianapolis will take the stage in one of the stunts,” The Republican said.
1914: Although the Chicago cattle market, the largest in the world, had been closed for 10 days due to hoof and mouth disease, there were no cases locally, veterinarians reported. A case of symptomatic anthrox, or “black leg,” had been discovered in Elisha Crosby’s herd near St. Paul, but Dr. Lewis of Waldron said there was no connection between the two diseases.
Murel Worthington, of Colescott St., was arrested on charges of burning leaves on the street. He pleaded “ignorance of the ordinance,” and was released by the mayor with a warning. “City and county health authorities agreed that the smoke from burning leaves often results in the spread of diphtheria and is liable to cause an epidemic,” The Republican reported. Officials pointed out there had been only four cases of diphtheria in October, but there had been 17 in November, when leaf burning had been more prominent.
OBITUARIES
Brendan Hezekiah Spiker, 22, of Shelbyville passed away November 4, 2024, at his residence. He was born November 27, 2001 in Greenfield, Ind., to Kevin Swinehart and Marlisa (Spiker) Swinehart.
He was employed in maintenance at Freudenberg NOK. Brendan graduated from Waldron High School with the class of 2020. He received the Shelby Advantage Scholarship and met all the requirements in order to earn his degree from Ivy Tech in Advanced Robotics. He enjoyed giving back to his community through volunteering for that scholarship.
He had a love for gaming and enjoyed playing games with his friends almost daily. Brendan was very creative and he spent a lot of time drawing. He was really good at drawing characters from movies and videogames. He even had some drawings of himself. He had an amazing group of close friends. They grew their friendship since grade school and remained very close through the years. His big heart and kindness will be missed by all who knew and loved Brendan.
Brendan is survived by his parents, his sister, Emily Payne (husband, Brandon); his brother, Nathan Swinehart; his nieces and nephews, Silas, Keaton, Kaden, Sterling, Marley, and Addalynn; his paternal grandmother, Jean Swinehart; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; his beloved dog, Elbee; his paternal grandfather, Harley “Pat” Swinehart; and his maternal grandparents, Bobby Spiker and Carylon Sandlin.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 9, 2024 at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Funeral services will follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jose Rivera officiating. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Brendan’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.