Thursday, October 30, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
PAVEMENT PROGRESS
Crews continued work this week on West Street south of West Broadway Street, where old curbs and gutters have been removed and new ones are being installed. On Wednesday, workers ground away the old blacktop surface as part of the street improvement project. | photo by JOHN WALKER
KILLER CREW
Skeleton “workers” suit up for spooky duty at a roadside Halloween display on North State Road 9, just south of Rampart Road. A tip of the (construction) hat to Annette Creed for tipping us off to this scene. | photo by JACK BOYCE
Blue Ridge Church Preserves 134 Years of Faith and Fellowship
Annual Fish Fry set for Saturday, 4–7 p.m.
Photos from past events show the enduring popularity of the annual Blue Ridge Christian Union Church fish fry, scheduled for Saturday. | submitted
For more than a century, Blue Ridge Christian Union Church has anchored its rural community with worship and fellowship. Founded in 1891, the church’s original sanctuary still stands today, although it was raised decades ago for a major project.
“They dug the basement by hand and lifted the building up,” recalled longtime member Dorothy Claytor, who chairs the church’s Christian Union Women’s Fellowship. “Of course, it’s been remodeled several times, but the sanctuary is the original part.”
That same spirit of perseverance also continues through one of Blue Ridge’s best-known traditions: its annual fish fry, taking place this Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. The event dates to the late 1960s, when members turned the church around, literally, to raise money for remodeling. “Where the big stained-glass window is - that used to be the front door,” Kristy Brunnemer, treasurer of the women’s group, said.
Early fish fries were small affairs held in the basement.
“We actually fried the fish down there in a little kitchen area,” Claytor said. “We had a small dining room.”
The meal and fellowship have grown ever since. About 40 to 50 volunteers now prepare food for nearly 300 guests.
“We’ve got 55 pies for Saturday night,” Claytor said with a laugh.
This year’s menu includes all-you-can-eat fish, green beans, macaroni and cheese, slaw, rolls and desserts: $14 for adults and $8 for children.
Funds support both church needs and community outreach.
“We give to the youth program, buy turkeys for 25 families at Thanksgiving and sponsor kids at Christmas,” Brunnemer said. “If somebody needs something, like a refrigerator or stove, we’ve helped with that too.”
Claytor added, “We’ve also done school supplies for Waldron students and for the food pantry.”
Pastor James Thurman, who leads the congregation of roughly 100, said the church’s mission remains rooted in Scripture and service. “We tell people we’re an outpost in the community,” he said. “Everyone’s welcome, but when it comes to truth, there’s only one truth, and that’s what we stand on: Christ’s truth. If we get away from that, we’re just another organization.”
The church, part of the Christian Union denomination founded during the Civil War era, still offers Sunday School and rotating Bible studies and small-group meetings during the week. Those offerings form the day-to-day structure highlighted by the annual fish fry.
“People come, just sit around and talk,” Brennemer said. “That’s part of what makes it home.”
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE
NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville VC Aktion Club hosted its annual Halloween dinner, costume party and dance Tuesday evening at West Street United Methodist Church, drawing 78 members and guests. Awards were presented for best and most unusual costumes as well as top male and female dancers, with music provided by DJ Dean McNamara and his wife, Terri, for the 12th year. Club president Johnny Dishman and Special Olympics coach Dan Sizemore also recognized four Shelby County Special Olympics teams that won state championships, presenting plaques to be displayed at Shares, Inc. Dishman further presented donation checks totaling $2,300 from recent fundraisers, and several new members from Hancock County group homes attended the celebration.
The Shelbyville High School girls basketball team opened its season with a 62-50 home scrimmage win over Eastern Hancock last night. Sophomore forward Jayla Ash led the Golden Bears with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while senior guard Hannah Baker added 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Senior forward Maddy Jones contributed 13 points and four steals, and sophomore Melia Cartwright scored 10 points off the bench. “Tonight was a great first step for us,” Coach Kylie Weichman said. “The girls executed really well, shared the ball, and played with great energy.” GBTV caught up with a couple of the players and Coach Weichman earlier this week.
BELOW: From left, Jayla Ash, Hannah Baker, Maddy Jones, Savannah Collins and Kiah Pandoli discuss strategy in between quarters of the scrimmage against Eastern Hancock. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
HOOSIER NEWS: The National FFA Convention & Expo will remain in Indianapolis through at least 2040, officials announced Tuesday during the kickoff of this year’s event. The convention, which draws more than 70,000 attendees annually, has been held in Indianapolis since 2006 (except for 2013–15 and 2020) and generates nearly $40 million in economic impact each year. FFA leaders and Visit Indy officials praised the city’s partnership, noting the renewal ensures Indianapolis continues to host one of the nation’s largest student gatherings in agricultural education. (IBJ)
NATIONAL NEWS: At fast food restaurants, menu listings for boneless wings, tenders and other portions have increased by 29 percent over the past four years. Over that same period of time, bone-in fried chicken meals have dropped precipitously by 72 percent. One reason for this is that ever since the pandemic, more people seem to be eating in their cars, as the latest data from Circana indicates that 26 percent of fast food orders are consumed in a customer’s vehicle. All this adds up to bad news for KFC, as it seems the bowl of bone-in fried chicken that defined KFC is going out of style. (Wall Street Journal/Numlock)
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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: Cossairt Florist moved from 38 West Broadway to Boggstown Road. The company had been on West Broadway for 85 years.
1995: Bargain Barn, 709 Miller Ave., owned by Bob Belles, opened for business. Bob and his wife Ruth ran the shop, which featured antiques, used furniture, glassware and toys.
1985: The Shelbyville High School volleyball team captured the sectional championship. Team members included Lori Hastings, Jamie Beyer, Lisa Hinrichs, Mindy Settles, Jill Cox, Dana Terrell, Angie Mathies, Melinda Vogler, Amy Richard, Charlene Robinette, Shelly Caplinger and Tina Sexton. The Golden Bears were led by head coach Karen Bowman and assistant coach Karen Martin.
1975: Mike and Paula Cochran purchased the Marietta Market, formerly Pruitt’s Market. Hours were Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
1965: The Shelbyville High School building, constructed in 1895 at a cost of $14,175, served as the city’s high school until 1910–11, when a new facility was built, The Shelbyville News noted. The structure, originally known as the old Seminary, was later remodeled to house the superintendent of Shelbyville Central Schools, school administration offices and the school bookstore. The former Assembly Hall had become the meeting room for the Shelbyville Central District School Board.
1955: Free telephone service between the Shelbyville and Morristown exchanges was discontinued due to an Indiana Public Service Commission decision.
Four Boy Scouts from Methodist Church Troop 201 earned hiking badges after completing a 20-mile trek that included 17 miles along the Lincoln Trail from Troy to Lincoln State Park. Participating scouts were Jerry Platt, Steve Mohler, Bill Kinnick and John Wolfe, accompanied by troop leader Merle Platt and William Kinnick.
1945: Shelby County joined the nationwide Victory Loan drive, setting a local goal of $801,600 as part of the country’s $11 billion target. The amount was lower than the county’s previous war loan quota. Workers began canvassing the city and county to encourage residents to purchase extra bonds so the goal could be met and surpassed before the campaign’s end on December 8.
1935: Smithland School held its annual Halloween festival, featuring an old fiddlers contest, a masquerade march and a “mystery room.” Prizes were awarded to the prettiest and ugliest costumed participants.
1925: Students at School No. 2 (Booker T. Washington) held a Halloween social, with music provided by a local orchestra. A committee of school mothers served refreshments.
1915: Marion VanWay hosted a Halloween mask party at her home north of Shelbyville, where guests arrived in a variety of creative costumes that made it difficult to recognize one another. After the unmasking, attendees enjoyed games, dancing and seasonal entertainment, followed by a late-evening luncheon.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
James Donald “Don” Blanford, 85, of Boggstown, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at his home. He was born Dec. 4, 1939, in Kentucky, the son of Paul and Mary Louise (Murphy) Blanford. On Nov. 29, 1969, he married Jeanine Rose Stone, and she preceded him in death on March 17, 2021. Don is survived by his children, Patrick Blanford and wife, Karen, of Indianapolis, Maureen Paul of Irvine, California, Sean Blanford and wife, Lisa, of Lewisville, Theresa Hildebrand and husband, Jeff, of North Salem, Donna Widmer and husband, Jason, of Marysville, Ohio, and Paul Blanford and wife, Sarah, of Needham; sisters, Jane Menton of Kentucky, and Theresa Hedrick and Judy Neal, both of Indianapolis; 14 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to Jeanine, Don was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ella Fitzgerald; and brother, Thomas Blanford.
He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving as a sergeant during the Vietnam War. Don was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a machinist for the railroad, retiring in February 2002. Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Eagles Aerie Lodge No. 766. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville, with the rosary recited at 1:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 125 E. Broadway, in Shelbyville, with Father Mike Keucher officiating. Interment will be at Boggstown Cemetery in Boggstown, with military rites conducted by the local military committee. Memorial contributions may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 2345 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46260. Online condolences may be shared with Don’s family at freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Mike and Paula Cochran, not Paul, bought the Marietta store in 1975.