Tuesday, January 3, 2022
GOP Candidate Jumps into Mayoral Race
Former Shelbyville City Council member Brad Ridgeway yesterday announced his intention to file as a candidate for mayor of the City of Shelbyville. Ridgeway is the second candidate to announce intentions to run in the Republican primary election, scheduled to take place May 2, 2023. Ridgeway previously ran for mayor in 2019.
“I will work every single day to improve the lives of Shelbyville citizens. All too often, elected officials believe their sole function is to be self-appointed leaders,” Ridgeway said in the statement. “Unfortunately, political ‘leaders’ tend to use their own personal judgment to determine what’s best for citizens. By contrast, I believe elected officials are public servants who regularly work to determine the opinions of citizens and govern accordingly. I recognize the task will be difficult, but my public record of service on the Common Council is clear. I encourage citizens to make their voices heard and get involved in the local decision-making process. After all, government works best when it works for all the people.”
Former Shelbyville mayor Scott Furgeson has also announced his intentions to run.
Don’s Pizza Marks Two Decades in Business
Don Pike and his mother, Randi Dawson, take a brief break for a photo yesterday, which marked 20 years for Don’s Pizza & Pasta, 802 South Harrison Street, Shelbyville. | photo by ANNA TUNGATE
by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Randi Dawson will never forget January 2, 2003, opening day at Don’s Pizza & Pasta. “It was chaos. It was jam-packed. I’m surprised anybody came back.”
They did, and have been for 20 years. Two decades may seem like a long time, but Don Pike’s pizza pedigree goes back much farther. He worked at 802 South Harrison Street before founding his own shop there, back when it was Four Wolves Pizza, and even before that, when it was Little Caesars.
“I’ve worked here since I was 16,” Pike said.
“This is what he wanted to do,” Dawson, who is Pike’s mother, added. She and her husband, who works third shift for a pharmaceuticals company, have supported Pike in the venture. Also, Dawson’s sister and brother-in-law, Cindy and Benet Linney, owned Pasquale’s Pizza here several decades ago before starting a pizza business in Frankfort, Ky.
With that level of experience and loyal local support, Don’s Pizza & Pasta survived the pandemic and the 2021 closure of the neighborhood grocery and anchor store next door.
“We were afraid when (Mickey’s T-Mart) closed that we would lose a lot of business, but we didn’t,” Dawson said. “All of our customers are wonderful. Because we’re here all the time, our customers are like our family. We’ve watched their kids grow up from babies.”
Only one house separates Pike’s and Dawson’s just down Colescott Street, but the pair say they would just as soon be at the pizza shop, making their only days off difficult.
“I hate staying home. This is what we do,” Dawson said. “A lot of times on Sundays, it’s like, hmmm…we could have been open.”
The pandemic couldn’t stop the family business either. They instead worked on perfecting carry-out.
“We did wonderful during covid,” Pike said.
“Didn’t bother us at all,” his mother added.
The sale of the shopping center has been the most recent topic of discussion. Pike and Dawson said they haven’t received word of any changes, although Dawson said she is “excited to see what comes in next door.” (An email sent from The Addison Times to the new Greensburg-based owner was not immediately returned.)
Regardless, Pike and Dawson, who are planning a future anniversary celebration to mark the occasion, expect to keep selling everything from pizza and breadsticks to salads and traditional sides.
There’s just one item often found on pizza shop menus Don’s doesn’t offer, Dawson noted. “People will call and say, ‘Do you serve alcohol?’ And we say, ‘No,’ and they say, ‘Good.’”
‘Just Show Up,’ Local Fitness Instructor Advises
Kelly DeWitt substitutes for regular Tabata teacher Hailey Siegel Gonzalez at the Shelby County YMCA yesterday. Tabata involves high-intensity intervals of 20 seconds of maximum effort followed by 10 seconds of rest.
by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
Jokes may abound about the January uptick in fitness center activity, but Hailey Siegal Gonzalez only sees opportunity this time of year.
“My goal is to keep them coming and help people make a lifestyle change,” Gonzalez, a certified instructor at the Shelby County YMCA, said.
Her morning group classes are part of a full spectrum at the Y, ranging from “Absolute Abs” and yoga to cycling and Silversneakers Classic.
“Everyone’s favorite is ‘Pumped,’” Gonzalez said. The class, which she and Kelly DeWitt teach in separate sessions, involves adding weights to bars throughout the 55-minute workout.
Gonzalez herself came to leading fitness classes from an unlikely position. “I started cleaning the old (Shelby County) Athletic Club. They liked my work ethic, and so I got my certification and started teaching.”
That was 2015, and the fun continues for Gonzalez, who participated in dance as a kid growing up in New York. The Fairland area resident who is married and has five children has now moved over to the Y since the Athletic Club closed. She endured video classes during the pandemic and is thrilled to see in-person attendance peaking again. The fluent Spanish speaker even teaches in two languages for the benefit of a couple of regulars.
“It’s really worth it. Just having the community, having the connections; we all become friends,” she said.
As the new year begins and the gym experiences its annual flurry of activity, Gonzalez remains on the hunt for those looking to try something new.
“I try to be at the door (before class) and invite anybody in that looks like they’re interested but nervous.”
Her advice? “Just show up. The hardest part is getting past that fear of getting through the door. This community is pretty great. They give you a reason to keep coming back.”
NOTEBOOK:
HOOSIER NEWS: Hoosiers should consider making lifestyle changes in 2023 after Indiana’s overall health rate ranked 35 out of 50 states, according to the United Health Foundation. The 2022 study revealed that Hoosiers ranked low for having high rates of physical inactivity (37), chronic disease (38) and cigarette smoking (41).
This Week in Shelby County" works by George L. Stubbs Sr. are owned by the Shelby County Historical Society (Grover Center) and used with permission.
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.
20 YEARS AGO: 2003
Gary and Diana Cox had purchased the Sports Locker Room, 105 S. Harrison St., The Shelbyville News reported. The previous owners, the family of James Sleeth, were helping the couple get started.
30 YEARS AGO: 1993
Salvation Army officials were forced to wait patiently for the results of the year’s kettle drive while the bank fixed its coin counter - again. It was the second year that Bank One’s coin counter was not able to keep up with the heavy counting of coins from charitable givers.
Burglars stole more than 30 rolls of carpet and linoleum from National Flooring, 117 S. Harrison St. A woman later recalled witnessing the midnight robbery, but thought it was store employees at work. All that was left in the store were some remnants, one roll of carpet and three rolls of linoleum.
40 YEARS AGO: 1983
Republican Mayor Dan Theobald, 34, announced plans to run for re-election. With his wife, Peggy, and four children - Trent, 9; Travis, 11; Emily, 2; and Elizabeth, 4 - at his side, Theobald reviewed his three years as mayor of Shelbyville in a meeting with members of the media. The Theobalds were also celebrating their 14th wedding anniversary.
50 YEARS AGO: 1973
The Boys Club was burglarized. A candy machine was broken, locks were pried off the shop room and several other rooms, and tools and .22 rifle ammunition were taken. Among the tools taken were those privately owned by club program director Richard “Swifty” Bennett.
60 YEARS AGO: 1963
The Southwestern Spartans won the Brown County holiday tourney. A newspaper photo showed team members, coaches and cheerleaders, including Coach Norman Kramer, manager Larry Flater, Gary Hamner, Jerry Petro, Mike Debaun, John Branson, Larry Williams, Debbie Golden, Jeff McQueen, Bussie Flater, Butch Gorrell, Bob Goble, Brian Garrett, Bill Porter, Marvin Rigdon, Dave Hill, Cheryl Warder, Assistant Coach William Golden, Betty DeRoy, Kathy Mohr and Linda Jones.
70 YEARS AGO: 1953
The Portland Cement Association ran an ad noting that their product had recently been used to pave the alley between Pike and Noble streets near East Washington. “Your alley can be paved in the same way if you and your neighbors petition the city council,” the ad said. “The annual cost will be low. You will eliminate dust, mud and chuckholes, and you will add a great deal to the value of your property.”
80 YEARS AGO: 1943
Donna Jean Purtlebaugh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Purtlebaugh of Flat Rock, was named the winner of the annual “Baby Derby” contest. Donna Jean was born at Major Hospital on Jan. 2. Dr. J.A. Davis was the attending physician.
90 YEARS AGO: 1933
Chester Smelser, local jeweler, patented a brake device that could be applied to either automobiles or fishing reels. The device was designed to minimize the danger of overturning an automobile by sudden braking.
100 YEARS AGO: 1923
Mrs. George Lucas, 28, had her tenth child, the oldest of which was 12. The Lucas family lived northeast of Edinburg near the Shelby County line, and often came here for business. The latest baby, a girl, had been born over the preceding week.
OBITUARIES
Infant Kensley Diane (DeBoard) Haus passed away Friday, December 30, 2022 at Riley Hospital for Children.
She was born December 21, 2022 to Clayton P.J. Haus and Hannah M. DeBoard. Kensley is survived by her parents, her twin brother, Keyan Haus of Flat Rock, her aunts and uncles, Ashley (Dakota) Morris of Shelbyville, Shane (Kaitlyn Tindle) Haus of Greenwood, Jordan (Megan Fix) DeBoard and Michael DeBoard, her grandparents, William and Jamie Haus, and Roger and Jane DeBoard, all of Shelbyville, and her cousins, Eli Morris, Kaelynn Morris, Jensen DeBoard, Oaklyn DeBoard and Haisley DeBoard. Kensley was preceded in death by Robert and Phyllis Haus, Kristina Wooten, Roger and Diana DeBoard, Sr., and James Jordan.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 5, 2023 at Whispering Hope Memorial Gardens with Pastor Andy Lee officiating. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Kensley’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Wilma Jean Corder, 91, of Fairland, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis. Born August 9, 1931, in Pryor, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of James D. Fields and Ruby (Dixon) Fields. She married John Edgar Corder in 1952, and he preceded her on September 30, 2005.
Survivors include two sons, Gene Anthony Corder and Edgar Wayne Corder, both of Fairland; a brother, James R. "Bob" Fields (wife Roxie) of Hendersonville, North Carolina; sister, Elizabeth Ann Wise (husband Ben) of Lexington, Kentucky; a grandson, Michael Anthony Corder; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse, daughter-in-law Barbara Corder, brother George M. Fields, two sisters Joyce Whitaker and Louise Fields, and 11 brothers and sisters-in-law.
Mrs. Corder had lived in this area since 1956 and graduated from Caney Creek High School and College. She was a home maker. Wilma enjoyed reading, crocheting, embroidering, and spending time with her family.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with Rev. David Humphrey officiating. Burial will be in Fairland Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday evening, January 5, 2023 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Nina Lynn Myers, 67, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2022 at her residence. She was born in Beech Grove, IN to Louis Don Kopernak and Rita (Putnam) Kopernak.
Nina graduated from Roncalli High School in 1974. She was employed at Ryobi Die Casting for over 30 years before retiring. She was raised Catholic and her Faith remained important to her throughout her life. She enjoyed spending time at the family lake house on Lake Lemon where relaxing and suntanning were her favorite pastimes. Nina’s most precious times were spent with her family making memories and just being together.
She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Myers, Amy Myers, and Ashley Branson (husband, Josh), her grandchildren, Sydney Hodson, Kaleb Hodson, Dayvion Crawley, Dayauna Myers, James Branson, and Annabelle Branson, her great-granddaughter, Mila Guardado, her brothers, Louie Don Kopernak (wife, Jeanette), and Kim Mollett, (husband, Gary), three nieces, three nephews, and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Nina was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Vicky Simon, and Beverly Riley, her niece, Mindy Simon, and her nephew, Joseph Robinson. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Nina’s family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 5635 W. 96th Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.