Tuesday, August 6, 2024
SCHOOL STAFF RETURN
Shelbyville Central Schools president Troy Merrick speaks at a staff breakfast yesterday to usher in the new academic year. The first student day is tomorrow, Wednesday. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
SCS Employee Retires After 48 Years, to the Day
Yesterday marked both the 48th anniversary of Debby McLeod’s first day of employment with Shelbyville Central Schools (SCS) as well as her last. McLeod, who graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1976 and started her full-time position Aug. 5 that year, is among the few to remain in one job her entire career.
“And the job that I was hired to do, I still do that today,” McLeod said in an interview last week about her administrative assistant position in the Special Education department. But there has been plenty of change over that period, in which she worked in five different buildings and reported to six different directors.
McLeod (formerly Debby Van Cleve) interviewed for the position with Kathleen Coulston. Since Coulston knew the Van Cleves well, McLeod was a shoe-in. At the time, SCS served as a Local Education Agency for the special education departments of all Shelby County schools, as well as Flatrock-Hawcreek. Her first office was upstairs at 54 W. Broadway, in the building now occupied by the Blue River Community Foundation.
The department later moved to St. Joseph St. to a factory building previously used by Chambers and has since been demolished. A drafting class was in the back of the second floor and McLeod, who had to traverse multiple staircases to get to her office, was at the forefront of the floor.
In 1979, the Blue River Co-op was formed with its own board of directors to oversee special education. Her office moved a couple of times, ending up at a building on W. McKay Road, across from Shelbyville Middle School. When the coop dissolved in 2010, SCS retained McLeod and honored her years of service.
One of the highlights of her career was having an office for a time across from the Life Skills class at Shelbyville High School. The students often stopped by to visit. Since the new SCS administration offices were completed, McLeod has experienced that again, this time with students at Golden Bear Preschool.
“Not being able to go to college and teach, I really enjoyed still being able to interact with kids,” she said.
And for the past two years, one of those kids was her granddaughter, who McLeod could stop by to see during breaks. With her granddaughter now heading to kindergarten, McLeod felt it was time to step down.
Due to accrued vacation, she’s taken off several days of late.
“That has been nice, but this morning, I almost forgot to set my alarm to get up!” she said, laughing.
She’ll now have more time with family, including her mom, who is in an assisted living facility; son and daughter-in-law, Ian and Cameron McLeod; and her granddaughter.
“I may do some traveling with family, and I enjoy my flower garden a lot,” McLeod said. “But mostly, it’s doing whatever I want to do, whenever I want to do it.”
NOTEBOOK:
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday approved committing funds to two READI 2.0 projects, a Veterans Memorial Plaza to be installed on the county courthouse property, and an incoming nonprofit center at 2311 S. Miller St. Commissioners agreed to allocate $250,000 to the Veterans Memorial Plaza and split $250,000 with the City of Shelbyville and Major Health Partners toward the nonprofit center, should the projects be approved.
Commissioners also expressed condolences to the family of Mike Schantz, who recently passed away. Schantz was a former Shelby County Emergency Mangement Agency Director.
The Shelby County Drainage Board approved a subsurface drainage plan with 29 stipulations for Speedway Solar, in the area of CR 900 E and Range Road. The county insisted on ensuring the drainage tiles to be installed become a legal drain. There were also multiple issues to consider since Speedway is leasing the land, and cooperation of the landowners is required.
Four seats remain for the next eight-month Leadership Shelby County cohort, which begins late this month. Information and the application (see bottom of the page) are available here. Last year, the 20 LSC graduates were joined by 43 Junior Leadership Shelby County participants, who came from all five county high schools and Blue River Career Programs.
A vehicle hit a deer on W 300 N, near the POET ethanol plant facility, busting the radiator of the vehicle, Sunday, at 10 p.m.
A driver was injured at the intersection of Tompkins and Hendricks in a one-car vehicle accident. The driver said her steering wheel locked up, causing the vehicle to hit a tree head-on. The driver was transported to the hospital.
First Christian Church, 118 W Washington St., is hosting a root beer (or orange) float drive through on Wednesday, August 14, from 5-7 p.m. Everyone is welcome, $5 each, not to exceed $20 for a family.
NATIONAL NEWS: The doping era in the Cold War had put some records in the shot put, hammer and discus competitions completely out of reach by clean players for decades. Because those players used so much gear — in 1986 Yuriy Sedykh threw a shot put 86.74 meters, setting a record that stands to this day, but also one time allegedly turned in a sample so full of the steroid stanozolol that the detection machine was contaminated for the next several samples and tossed out false positives — the record books have been elusive. Until now, that is, thanks to new techniques and training: In April, a Canadian hammer thrower got within 8 feet of Sedykh’s record, the discus record was broken in April by a Lithuanian, and the steroid records now seem beatable, too. (Wall Street Journal/Numlock)
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580 West Taylor St.
Editor’s Note: The following is the next installment in a serialized version of “580 West Taylor Street,” by Joseph E. “Joed” Landwerlen.
by JOSEPH E. LANDWERLEN
The Backyard and the Garage
The backyard was small, and it was connected to three different neighbors’ yards, all separated by wire fences that the neighbors exchanged greetings and information over.
Our yard was still big enough to hold a three-line clothesline, which held all of the clothes that were washed and allowed them to dry in the sunshine and the breeze. The clothes were held on the line by wood clothes pins, and the clothes lines were used whenever the weather permitted. We boys used the lines for other activities, as well, like to beat the dust and dirt out of throw and area rugs. We somewhat became the boys that worked on the neighbors’ rugs and carpets and were paid pretty well for making that dust fly. It was a good way to work out your frustrations, and we got paid for it!
When you walked out the back door of the kitchen, about 10 feet away was the door to the garage, and in the back corner was the outhouse, or privy. The two-holed privy was in the northwest corner of the garage and had a latch on the inside. The toilet itself was a two-holer, and us boys were threatened within an inch of our lives if we used the adult side.
The rest of the garage held the coal bin with a loading window on the alley, a storage area for our push-type rotary reel lawn mower, a couple of metal rakes, a shovel or two, and two or three 17-gallon galvanized tubs. A rubber garden hose usually hung on a wire or bracket, and, of course, a hand saw, ax, and small hatchet also hung next to each other, but we will talk about that later.
There was a bucket near the door for kindling; after we boys turned seven or eight, it was our job to keep it full for Dad to use to start fires in the morning. In the spring and fall you just needed to knock the chill off and did not need a fire all the time. As the oldest child in the family, at about eight or nine, I was expected during the heating season or winter months to bring two buckets of coal: one bucket of small pieces (softball size), and one bucket of large pieces, with one really large piece to be used to keep the fire going all night long. We were also expected to remove the clinkers and ashes from the bottom of the stove.
SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
October 3, 1956 (Part I)
“Beware Freshmen!” the headline read. “Better wear your gun and holsters if you come trotting around SHS in junior or senior cords. (In case you don’t know, the colors of the cords are white and yellow.)” Other advice included, “The senior boys will be watching you handsome things this year. Their slogan is, ‘Stay away from our women.’” Also, “If anyone offers to sell you an ‘Elevator Ticket,’ watch out! They are asking too much for them this year.”
Miss Moore’s class spent a period unsuccessfully attempting to swat two “king-sized variations of the American honey bee that sailed around the rooms like B-29s, and could not have been more alarming if they had been B-29s,” the paper said.
Of the new freshmen, 66 were from schools other than the local junior high school. Jon Hill came the farthest, from Missouri. Fourteen students came from St. Joe.
Carolyn John, Squib editor, announced division editors for the year: Bob Staats, Peggy Thomasson, Carole Graham, Marilyn Brooks, Phyllis Carrico, Linda Coers, Mary Ash, John Carney, Rosemary Yarling, William Russell, Stan Sutton, Ted Stroup and Delores Baker. Squib was planned and edited by the senior class.
Constitution Day had been observed with a panel program sponsored by Mr. Day and Mr. Hinshaw. Bob Staats was master of ceremonies and Ed Adams, Pat Mardis, Jim McMichael, Carole Sandefur, Rosamond Clark appeared on the panel, which presented summaries on the need of the Constitution, its Preamble, and the branches of government. Students were led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by Sherry Smith, Larry Platt and David Smith. Beverly Cole dismissed with a prayer.
New Courier staff were Sue Ballard, Rex Beckley, Joyce Buchanan, Alice Chaney, Lynn Collyer, Rosemary Deal, Nadine Dellekamp, Tippy Dennis, Judy Ewick, Nancy Fowl, Barbara Kent, Barbara McGuire, Lee McNeely, Joyce Nedderman, Pat Patterson, Gene Richardson, Pat Roth, Ted Stroup, Darlene Theobald, Janet Thomas, Jack Tindall, Jim Tindall, Bob Turner, Barbara Walker, Julia Walts and Jim Wells.
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: Major Hospital officials again discussed whether or not to expand at West Washington St. or build a new facility at the Intelliplex, where several services were already offered. A public meeting was organized to receive additional input.
2004: The Pliant Corp. building, 701 Hodell St., caught fire. Due to high heat and humidity, five firemen suffered from heat exhaustion and were transported to Major Hospital. The building was heavily damaged, although the fire was brought under control within a couple of hours.
1994: Out-of-state truckers reported someone had been throwing softball-size rocks at trucks from the Pleasant View interchange. People had been spotted in the ditch alongside the interstate, but descriptions had not yet been obtained by police.
1984: The Parks Department announced shelter house facilities would be available through October, rather than being winterized at the end of September, as was previously done.
Tickets were available at Hub Shoes ($9) for upcoming Rick Nelson shows in Nashville, Ind. Nelson had previously been on the Ozzie & Harriet Show on cable TV.
1974: Pizza King opened at 24 Howard St., just around the corner from Thrif-T-Mart.
Bill Garrett, former Shelbyville High School graduate who had led the team to the 1947 state basketball championship, was in serious condition after suffering an apparent heart attack. Garrett, 45, the father of four children, had been unconscious since the incident occurred in an Indianapolis shopping center parking lot.
Karla VanNatta, 17, was picked by fair queen contestants as Miss Congeniality.
1964: Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. employees were on strike. Mayor Ralph VanNatta asked for police assistance in preventing what he termed “the serious harassment” of workers who chose to remain on the job during the walkout. VanNatta said he had been outside the PPG plant on Elizabeth St. on several successive nights and had “seen this sitation become increasingly explosive.”
1954: Morris Douglas, 18, involved in four personal injury motorcycle accidents over the previous nine months, had his license suspended for a year by Judge James Matchett after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
1944: Wayne Buckley, 9, of Manilla, died of polio. His was the second death from polio in the vicinity, following Rena Katheryn Kuhn, within the previous three months.
City Council approved an ordinance requiring that milk processed and distributed in Shelbyville be “Grade A.”
1934: Three young men wearing dark suits used four revolvers in a holdup at the ticket office of the Hendricks Camp, near St. Paul. J.O. Hendricks, 316 East Franklin St., Shelbyville, said they had obtained most of the day’s receipts.
1924: While tearing out the old cornerstone of the West Street M.E. Church, part of rebuilding the vestibule damaged by a recent tornado, workers unearthed a box placed there by the founders of the church in 1891. The box, which was of tin, fell to pieces when exposed to the air. It contained a Bible, a copy of local newspapers (The Shelbyville Republican, The Daily Democrat and the Jeffersonian), and records of the church. Sarah Laird, a charter member of the church, said she remembered the laying of the cornerstone.
1914: An intoxicated hobo was taken to Mayor Schoelch’s office. The mayor gave the hobo a lecture and gave him one hour to get out of town.
Fritz, a well-known “prize poodle dog” owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Feher was killed when hit by an automobile. “He was picked up by loving members of the Fehr family and placed in high state in the backyard until the supper dishes had been washed,” The Republican said. “Then, he was buried in full ceremony in the back yard, in a dainty little coffin prepared for him by his earthly master. A large number of neighbors and friends attended the ceremony, accompanying Fritz to his final resting place and as a fitting tribute to the occasion, lovingly placed a large black silk ribbon around his wooly neck and lowered him tenderly under the sod.”
OBITUARIES
Georgia L. Wertz, 74, of Shelbyville, passed away Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis. She was born February 13, 1950, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Dennis and Virginia (Mann) Wicker. On May 24, 1996, she married her loving husband of 28 years, Robert “Bobby” Wertz, and he survives. In addition to Bobby, Georgia is survived by her children, David (Kim) Wright of Silver Creek, Georgia, Jenni Jo (David) Taylor of Beebe, Arkansas, James (Ryan) Conwell-Glaub of Kokomo, Misti, and Amanda (Brent) Thoman; sister, Mary Alice Zinman of Shelbyville, and Ann of Colorado. She was the proud Nana to eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Georgia is also survived by several nieces and nephews. We will miss her greatly and always. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Dennis Wicker.
In 1968, Georgia graduated from Shelbyville High School and then attended Purdue University for two years. She was formerly employed at Roberta’s for over 10 years, retiring in 2008. Georgia was a former member of 4-H, Home Extension and the Sunshine Club. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, baking and tending to her flower gardens. Georgia loved spending time with her grandchildren. She also leaves behind her dog, Rosie.
Private family services will be held. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Georgia’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
June Kay Drew, 83, of Indianapolis, passed away, Monday, August 5, 2024, at her home.
She was born May 29, 1941, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Fred McDaniel and Edna Mae (Dixon) Yeley. June is survived by her daughters, Lisa Chastain of Indianapolis, and Regina Rosebrock of Brown County; sons, Robert “Bob” Hodge II and wife, Stephanie, of Danville, and William “Bill” Hodge and wife, Laura, of McCordsville; an army of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Janetta Ann Hodge; sisters, Edna “Peanut” Sturgill and Sharon Ann “Shorty” McDaniel.
She graduated from Waldron High School in 1958. June was a beauty advisor for Walgreens for 20 years. She was formerly a member of the Ladies of the Moose. June enjoyed going on motorcycle rides, crocheting and reading. She loved to square dance with the “Acton Fireballs.”
Visitation will be from 10 to Noon, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at Noon on Friday, at the funeral home, with Zach Chastain and Chip Rethmeier officiating. Interment will be at London Cemetery in Shelby County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Association of Shelby County, PO Box 844, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with June’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Imogene Louise (Campbell) Helm of Shelbyville, IN and formally of St. Louis, Mo. and N. California, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at her residence at the age of 78.
Imogene was born in Tulula, IL, on October 17, 1945, to the late Sidney and Flossie Campbell. She was a graduate of Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, IL where she met her soulmate Ron Helm. After she graduated from Evangel College, Ron and Imogene were married on August 20, 1966 and have celebrated over 55 wonderful years.
She taught school for over 30 years following her husband, Ron, a Field Engineer for Boeing all over the country, teaching in both public and Christian schools in the St. Louis area, and in Christian schools in N. California, and an International School in Saudi Arabia, and finally at Westside Christian School in Indianapolis. Imogene was active in her boys’ schools and supported them in their many sports and school functions. After teaching more than 30 years, Imogene and Ron lived and retired in Shelbyville.
Imogene loved the Lord, having been active in her local church, Hope’s Point Baptist Church and holding various positions in the Auxiliary of The Gideons International, Shelbyville Camp, spreading the Word through many Bibles placed in the hands of people throughout her community. Nothing brought Imogene more joy than her family and friends. She and Ron enjoyed travelling, visiting more than 30 countries. Imogene’s teaching career took her to Saudia Arabia, Kenya, Tanzania, India, Sri Lanka, and Greece.
Imogene is proceeded in death by her father Sidney Campbell, mother Flossie Campbell and sister Geneva Nimphie. Survivors, in addition to her husband, Ron include: her two sons, Berkely Helm (wife Kathy) of Fayetteville, NC and Wesley Helm (wife Autumn) of Fairland, IN and five grandchildren, Mackenzie Ryan (husband, Chris) and Kelsey Helm in N. Carolina; Davis Helm, Koen Helm and Mark Turnbloom all of Fairland, IN, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be Friday August 9, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hopes Point Baptist Church, 1703 S. Miller Ave, Shelbyville, IN. 46176. Funeral services will be Saturday August 10, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Hopes Point Baptist Church with Pastor Greg Albert officiating. Burial will be in Whispering Hope Memorial Gardens. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Imogene’s family.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Gideons International, Hopes Point Baptist Church 1703 S. Miller Ave, Shelbyville, IN. 46176 or Dementia Foundation, 322 8th Ave, 16 Floor, New York, NY. 10001. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.