Tuesday, January 21, 2025
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS
STARLAB RETURNS
The ever-popular StarLab is back at Shelbyville Middle School for the next two weeks. Science teacher Mr. Scott Hughes organizes the annual offering. Teachers will use the lab for science and Language Arts instruction over the next two weeks. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
NOTEBOOK:
Mayor Scott Furgeson reiterated his desire at last night’s Common Council meeting to establish fire territories within the next year. A fire territory is a type of fire service consolidation established by two or more taxing units that share boundaries. The city currently provides fire protection for three townships outside of city limits for a nominal fee. “Basically $20,000 a year, which doesn’t even cover insurance on one of our (firefighters),” Furgeson said. The city also provides ambulance service county-wide. “We cannot continue to provide what we’re doing for them for the minimal fee, so we’re going to have to either raise their fee substantially, probably triple, or we’re going to have to go to the fire territories,” Furgeson said. The fire territory arrangement would essentially put everyone receiving fire services on the same tax rate. The change would not affect city residents’ rates, but would “be a substantial raise for county taxpayers,” he said. Fire territories would also eventually allow for a fourth station in the northern part of the county, providing improved fire and medical emergency response, the mayor said. The establishment of fire territories would involve public hearings and township sign-off, and Furgeson encouraged the council to go through with it over the next year.
Councilwoman Linda Sanders, who chairs the ordinance committee, said she will have an ordinance regarding golf cart use in the city on the committee’s agenda next month. The previous council considered but never took action on a proposed golf cart ordinance.
In other action, the Common Council re-appointed Chris Clark to Shelbyville Board of Zoning Appeals and Michelle Nolley to the Shelby County Economic Development Council.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is hosting the 4th annual Battle of the Bowls Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Feb. 8, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Shelbyville Knights of Columbus. There is a $25 entry fee for chili (details here) or purchase tickets at the door for dinner, which includes chili, dessert and five ballots; $10 for adults, kids 12 and under, free.
HOOSIER NEWS: Real estate marketplace Zillow predicts the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson metropolitan area will be the second hottest housing market in the U.S. in 2025, behind only Buffalo, New York. This means homebuyers in the Indianapolis area will face one of the most competitive markets in the nation, multiple forecasts agree. Zillow predicts that home prices in Central Indiana will rise faster in 2025 than they did last year, making Indianapolis the only top 5 metro where a steeper price increase is expected. Prices will rise 3.4% in 2025, Zillow predicts, up from 2.8% in 2024. The metro’s job growth rate of 9.3% from October 2019 to October 2024 was nearly twice the U.S. average of 5% in that same time period, according to NAR. Indianapolis may seem affordable compared with other top metros, but home prices here have risen 60% since October 2019, NAR reports. The median sales price of roughly $305,000 that Central Indiana buyers can expect to pay this January is $20,000 higher than a year ago. (IndyStar)
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The Way We Were
Editor’s note: The following article is from the February 1994 SHS Courier edition, which accompanies additional highlights below.
by MARIAH ROMINES
I remember a time when toys signified who we were. My friend, Chipper, owned a Castle of Greyskull, He-Man and Skeletor. From that moment on, Chipper developed a strut, which in elementary days meant that he was “it.”
I also remember being quite fond of my favorite toys, my Strawberry Shortcake doll collection. I probably had the whole set. Strawberry had bright red hair that perfumed a light strawberry scent. I loved Strawberry so much that I had a Strawberry Shortcake bedroom suit that consisted of curtains, wallpaper, sheets, a bedspread and glowing pink carpet.
Time has flown by and I have disregarded my baby dolls. I still have wonderful memories of them, though.
I asked various members of SHS about their favorite childhood toys. Many students had great stories to tell. Here are a few.
Jeff Mings: My favorite childhood toys were my “men.” They were various Star Wars action figures collected from birthdays, Christmases and petty thievery. Unfortunately, my brother and I were destructive children and broke them all.
Sara Schmucker: My favorite toys were my crayons and paper or my grandma’s dress-up clothes.
Ebon Worland: My favorite was my He-Man figurines and my Castle of Greyskull. I had all of the figurines and their weapons.
Lindsey Lux: My favorite toy was my apricot doll. She smelled like apricots. You could squeeze her and apricot air would come out. She still smells because I found her underneath my bed. Strawberry Shortcake was also one of my favorites.
Julie Meyerholtz: My favorite toy would probably be my Blueberry Muffin doll. She had a big blue hat, which I thought was so cool. My Shirt Tail collection comes in second.
Leslie Randolph: My favorite childhood toy was my Easy Bake Oven. I loved the cakes and miniature desserts you could make in only a few minutes. The great thing about it was I could eat all of the food by myself! FOOD!
Marcia Pearson: My favorite toy was my Cabbage Patch kid with “real” hair you could brush. She was so pretty, but I found out later that my cat liked to use the restroom on her.
Andrew Sanders: My favorite childhood toys were my Match Box cars. I had all types: planes, tanks, and even motorcycles. G.I. Joe’s were neat, too.
Mathew Wilson: My favorite childhood toy was my horse on a stick. It consisted of a horse head, a yellow stick attached to it, and a string that when gleefully pulled, a startling resemblance of Mr. Ed’s voice emerged from the horse. I really liked that! Coming in second would be my Caboose Record Player.
Erin Suttle: My favorite childhood toy was probably my Grover (the Sesame Street guy). I've had him since I was two years old.
Kevin Singh: My favorite toys were my Transformers because they changed into cool men/cars.
Shannon Wydau: My favorite toy was my Betsy Clark doll. I'd forgotten all about it until one day not too long ago, I saw one. I said, “Wow, I had a doll just like that!”
Emily Wheeler: My favorite toy was probably my Gerber baby doll. I remember Laura Haehl had a life-size one.
Heidi Walden: My favorite toy was a Hoppity Hop. It was a big blue ball with a handle. I would sit on it, hold the handle and bounce all around the yard. Sometimes I fell off.
Stephanie Clayton: My favorite childhood toy was actually one of my brother's toys. He had a John Deere tractor that you peddled like a bike. I’d put a hat on and thought I was the greatest on that tractor.
Jennifer Lisher: My favorite childhood toy was a teddy bear. I took it with me everywhere.
Amity Leary: My favorite childhood toy was a 5’½” Barbie Dream House that I got for Christmas. It was taller than I was. The joy didn't last long; it fell over, and Mom threw it away.
Mr. Bill Murphy, Math department: My favorite childhood toy was an Erector Set. They were a bunch of metal pieces I put together to make bridges and things like that. I had an electric train to run through them, too.
Laura Haehl: My favorite childhood toy was my Gerber baby doll, but Emily Wheeler had one like it, only much smaller. I wanted Emily’s, so I kept trying to take it from her.
Trisha Fox: My favorite childhood toys were my Barbies, but almost all of them didn't have any feet because my brother had chewed them off.
Ann Dennis: My favorite childhood toys were my Barbies and their house. The house had an elevator that went up three floors. Unfortunately, one day I stood on it, and it crumbled to the ground.
Christina Hopper: My favorite toys were paper, crayons, and coloring books. When we moved, I had to take down the wallpaper I had made from my pictures.
SHS Courier Archive Highlights
February 1994
“In the Still of the Night” was announced as the prom theme. The event would be held at SMS on April 30, 9 p.m. Several fundraisers were in progress, including Sledgehammer Volleyball and Computer Dating.
The SHS Brain Game team of Roger Owens, Erik Miller, Chip Bennet, Dan King and alternate Sara Peters defeated Arlington High School.
New computers had been installed in the library. They included grading software for teachers, as well as edLan, Grolier’s Electronic Encyclopedia, Microsoft Bookshelf, Heritage American Dictionary, the World Almanac, a thesaurus, an atlas and ProQuest. The goal was to eventually have computers in every classroom hooked up to a network.
SHS had three married couples on staff. The Courier talked to two of the couples. Mr. Bill and Mrs. Vera Murphy had met as seniors in college, having their first date on Valentine’s Day, 1964. They would be celebrating 29 years of marriage in June. They were the first husband and wife team to be employed at SHS. Previously, spouses were not allowed to be hired, but due to the lack of math and science teachers during the Vietnam War, Mr. Murphy was hired. Mr. Larry and Mrs. Angie Parmer met as teachers in Greensburg. The had been married 13 years, and had worked at SHS for 11 years.
Students were asked about their dream dates. Andy Skillman said, “That girl in the Aerosmith videos.” January Holmes said Bill Clinton, “just so I could have an intellectual conversation with him.” Jeremy Ingle went with Anna Nicole Smith, and Dustin Cole selected Nikki Taylor. Lori Thomas said Keanu Reeves. Jennifer Sexton went with “the super stud” Christian Slater, and Krista Tindall said “the bodysuit wearing stud, Keanu Reeves.” Julie Meyerholtz selected either Damon Bailey or Vinnie from Blossom. Mr. Free: “Most definitely Demi Moore. That black dress in that movie drove me crazy.” Bob Decker and Tim Kamlieter both said Kathy Ireland. Michele Romans went with Brad Pitt.
The girls basketball team finished the season at 15-3. All-Star candidate Misty Smith had broken records held by her coach, Brenda Simmons. Fellow seniors Leslie Lux and Carrie Bassett also had strong seasons.
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.
2005: Shelby County artist and resident Donna Adams had an exhibit of her photographs on display at the University of Indianapolis, where she was an assistant professor in the Fine Arts department. The exhibit included pictures of scenes and objects from Shelbyville, including scenes from the Coca-Cola plant, the footbridge over Little Blue River and Mickey’s T-Mart.
1995: Frank Zerr filed for re-election to a third term as the city’s clerk-treasurer. Zerr was first elected in 1987 and had served as Shelby County Treasurer in 1979 to 1986.
The Shelbyville News contacted regional officials at Applebee’s and Cracker Barrel regarding rumors about store openings. The officials both denied their companies would be expanding to Shelbyville.
1985: Frigid temperatures left one man dead and many in Shelbyville home-bound. Those who weren’t glued to the TV watching the inauguration and Super Bowl XIX (49ers over the Dolphins) over the weekend struggled to keep automobiles and heating systems functioning. William Clark, 54, suffered a heart attack while trying to start his car. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.
1975: George W. Hobbs was named president of KCL Corp. and Donald Collins was named secretary at the annual meeting of KCL shareholders. Hobbs succeeded the late Frank Coffin. The following directors were re-elected: Robert Ferrell, William English, Jack McCabe, Harry Hanson, Hugh English, Frank Manuele, William Haehl and Charles Wells Jr.
1965: A public grand opening of Country Club Heights, a new residential development located on a wooded area across from the Elks Country Club, was held. Three homes were on display. Six homes were either finished or under construction.
1955: The Tile House, featuring metal, plastic and clay tile for use in home floors and walls, opened at 20 E. Broadway. H.L. “Lar” Launer” and his wife, Alice, Boggstown, were the owners.
The Sun Oil Co. pulled a building permit to construct a station at the northwest corner of Broadway and Noble streets. Two homes would have to be torn down.
1945: Local residents were reminded to keep track of all mileage on their vehicle, a prerequisite to obtaining new tires through the rationing board.
1935: Vandals threw bricks through the basement windows of the new bandstand at Laura Morrison Park. The bandstand, a FERA workers project, was not yet officially completed.
1925: Enrollment at Shelbyville High School exceeded 550, with nearly 50 new students starting at the new term. W.G. Thompson, who had been teaching in Fairland and Waldron, was hired at the high school due to increasing enrollment.
All all-Black jury of six found a local Black woman guilty of “provoke” in Justice of Peace Harry Ray’s courtroom. Prosecuting Attorney Ralph Adams was assisted by Walter Reese, and George Tolen represented the defendant. The woman was fined one cent and charges.
1915: The mayor of New Castle had announced that any woman who had a card party in her home and awarded prizes to the winners should expect to be arrested and brought to court on a charge of keeping a gambling house, The Shelbyville Republican reported. “Needless to say, the Hon. J Leb (Watkins) now finds himself in some exceedingly hot water,” the paper said. The Republican speculated that women holding such house parties would stop sending in the names of winners to the local newspaper.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
Rameisha Irene “Meishy” Crisp, 27, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2025, at her home. She was born April 17, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Cheryl Lee Crisp. In addition to Cheryl, Meishy is survived by her uncle, David Crisp and wife, Maribeth, of Simpsonville, South Carolina; cousins, Ashley and Amy; and special friends her nurses, Shannon Sefton and Marie Mueller. Meishy was preceded in death by her sister Stacie Wycoff; and grandparents, Raymond and Lillian Crisp.
She received her Certificate of Completion from Shelbyville Central Schools. Meishy was a member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. She enjoyed playing computer games and watching movies on her ipad. Meishy loved anything to do with the Disney Princesses. Meishy also leaves behind her cats, Aspen, Schatze, Gracie and Goofy. She was “the best kid in the world.”
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, January 24, 2025, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Please wear your best prince or princess attire in Meishy’s memory, if you choose. Funeral services will follow at noon, Friday, at the funeral home, with Rev. Dr. Robb Barlow officiating. Interment will be at Mount Pisgah Baptist Cemetery in Shelby County. Memorial contributions may be made to Give the Kids the World, 210 South Bass Road, Kissimmee, Florida, 34746. Online condolences may be shared with Meishy’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Heather Dawn Tucker, 47, of Waldron, passed away Monday, January 20, 2025, at her home. She was born April 28, 1977, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Donald Allen and Cynthia Jean “Cindy” (Cox) Tucker. Heather is survived by her parents of Waldron; biological mother, Marilyn Elkins-Hehman, of Shelbyville; brother, Mark Anthony Ash and wife, Christina, of Waldron; sisters, September “Dawn” Foster and husband, Mark Jr., of Bristow, Jessica Paige Laymon and husband, Ryan Ozbun, of Trafalgar, Summer Renee Adams and husband, Dustin, of Waldron, and Amber White and husband, Daniel, of Shelbyville; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind the family dog, Chunk.
She formerly worked as a sandwich artist at Love’s Travel Stop. Heather graduated from Shelbyville High School. She enjoyed crafting, getting her nails done and playing games on her phone. Heather loved holidays and all the sparkles that made Halloween and Christmas special. Heather loved people, especially her nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Heather’s life will be held at a later date. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Heather Tucker Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared with Heatherta’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.