Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Nov 19, 2024

FINAL STEPS

Construction at the Shelbyville Post Office entrance, including an ADA-accessible ramp, is reportedly two weeks from completion. Handrails are still needed to complete the project. | photo by JACK BOYCE

Addison Times Update

Thank you to Theresa Ernstes; Rev. Bill & Vickie Horner; and Ray & Cindy Wetnight for your $500+ contribution, and thank you so much to each supporter who gave various amounts toward our 2025 fundraising goal.

Of the $44,500 goal, we have raised $30,383. Last year, many readers donated a one-time gift for 2025. This will not automatically renew. You can, however, make another one-time donation for 2025 either online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. We will once again provide a quarterly publication with extra news and photos in 2025 as a gift for your support of $100 or more. Any amount raised above the goal will be placed in a rainy day fund for 2026 operations and beyond.

Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history. I appreciate each of you.

- Kristiaan Rawlings, Editor

NOTEBOOK:

The Shelbyville Common Council last night approved on second reading a PILOT Agreement with TWG-Eight 37 Lofts, in preparation for a planned affordable and workforce housing development at 837 Webster Ave., on the city’s west side. “We are closed on the project and getting ready to break ground,” a TWG Development representative said. The official ground-breaking is set for Dec. 12. The 138-unit complex will feature two residential buildings, a clubhouse, playground and fitness center.
Mayor Scott Furgeson last night said he was considering a suggested ordinance change, lowering the maximum grass height from 10 inches to eight inches before the city intervenes. Once the maximum grass height is reached and a complaint filed, the city gives residents 14 days to fix the issue, time during which the situation can become worse. “It’s hard on our mowing equipment, it’s hard for the Street Department to keep up with those mowings, seeing how we mowed over 95 yards last year,” Furgeson said. Any suggested ordinance changes will go to the council for review.
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday approved an authorization to proceed with the replacement design for Bridge 22, on County Road 750 N over Brandywine Creek, west of State Road 9. The county hopes to use Community Crossing Matching Grant funds next year, which would cover three-fourths of the cost. In response to a question from Commissioner Don Parker, Mike Obergfell with USI Consultants confirmed the bridge was in need of repair. “The substructure and the superstructure are both rated a 4, which is poor. Those beams are 30, 40, 55 years old. The steel is hanging out of the bottom.”
Commissioners also approved a resolution establishing criteria and a procedure for military wall placement in the Shelby County Courthouse. Although it has been understood that the requirements are having served overseas during wartime, there was not previously written guidelines in place, Diane Haehl, Executive Assistant, said.
AT&T is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the conviction of those involved in “ongoing thefts and vandalism” of its copper cable in Marion, Shelby and Brown counties, The Indianapolis Business Journal reported. The AT&T announcement, released Monday, comes in the wake of internet outages last week on the southwest side of Indianapolis that the company said were caused by the theft and vandalism of copper and fiber cables. “Copper theft often damages our critical communications infrastructure, which can cause network outages that leave our customers without the ability to connect,” AT&T Indiana President Bill Soards said in a written statement. AT&T said it is collaborating with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Shelby County and Brown County sheriff’s departments. The reward money is for “specific and detailed information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for the ongoing thefts and vandalism of telecommunications copper cable, or the attempted sale or purchase of stolen copper cable, in the Indianapolis metro counties of Brown, Marion, and Shelby,” AT&T said. Tipsters, who can remain anonymous, should contact local law enforcement as well as AT&T’s global security and investigations line at (800) 807-4205.
NATIONAL NEWS: Ten weeks into the season and it’s more clear than ever that kickers are fundamentally changing the calculus of the NFLgame. So far, there have been 153 field goal attempts at least 50 yards in length, compared to 58 in the same period of 2004, and they now have a success rate in the ballpark of 75 percent. The success percentage for field goals under 40 yards is now borderline automatic, increasing from 89 percent in 2004 to 97 percent this season so far. While long field goals were the desperate acts of a team in the closing seconds of a half, now they’re attempted at will; attempts of 55 yards or more have been made 52 times this season, and 37 of them happened before the two-minute warning. (New York Times/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights:

November 19, 1953

Marge Clay, Nancy Taylor and Ana Lou Willis were finalists in the D.A.R. Citizenship contest. The county winner would advance to State.
SHS varsity basketball team members were Tom Boyle, Bob Mullen, Frank Phillips, Ray Ewick, Steve Brown, John Reece, Marvin Hawkins, Bill Wilson, Bob McNew, Don Brown, Bob Cole, Bob Cowherd and Ronnie Mitchell.
Linda Fish, class of 1952, had been elected treasurer of the sophomore class at Ball State. Linda had been Squib editor and a Sunshine officer at SHS. Jim Hebbe, class of 1951, was vice president of the junior class at Atlantic Christian College in North Carolina. Jim had been the Paul Cross Award winner here.
Donald L. Brunner, 1938 SHS graduate and county prosecutor, was the speaker at the SHS Armistice Convocation. Brunner had served in World War II, flying over 32 foreign countries and spending a year in China. As prosecutor, he was sometimes opposed by his uncle, attorney Emerson Brunner.
Students had organized a dance band, which practiced Tuesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. Members were John Reece, Marilyn Mohler, Bob Amos, Phil Breedlove, Amelia Stuart, Wayne Barricklow, Charles Moore, Marlin Trimnell, Jerry Porter, Willie Wilson, Floyd Wiley, Mike Silbert and Ray Ewick.
Carleen Jose, class of 1949, had accepted a position at Colescott school. Gene Sexton was another SHS graduate who had joined the Colescott faculty. He had previously taught at Shelby Township School.
Sfc. Robert Phares, class of 1948, was credited with saving two Chinese swimmers off the coast of Taipei. Bob’s brother, Larry Phares, was a sophomore at SHS.
A new flag pole was dedicated at the Athletic Field.

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: Over 300 students were enrolled at Blue River Career Programs.

The cost of a Thanksgiving meal was down $1.19 from the previous year. The cost of a meal for 10 was $46.93.

2004: Shelbyville High School students put on “Nunsense,” featuring Mindy Brouhard, Rebekah Risley, Lindsey Anderson, Elizabeth Tinsley and Polly Anna Tinsley. Joel Kenemore had led the musical numbers. Russell Smith directed the band.

1994: Sixteen Clowns for Christ graduated in a ceremony at Flat Rock Christian Church, bringing membership in the church’s clown troop to 35.

1984: Becom’s, on Public Square, began offering same-day film development for $1.99, plus 29 cents per print.

A snow sculpture of a dog was built next to the soldier’s statue on the courthouse lawn. A newspaper photo caption said the sculptor was unknown.

1974: A flu vaccination drive was set up at Nugent Hall, southeast across from Major Hospital, organized by union members Tom Harding and Ron Alford. Citizens could obtain the flu shot for $2.

Thirty-five local residents attended a meeting at Chicken & Steak Inn to discuss obtaining better bus service. Several wanted to get Southeastern Trailways to move its terminal from E. State Road 44 near the I-74 interchange to a downtown location. A Trailways representative said their buses carried more freight in and out of Shelbyville than passengers.

1964: The county Red Cross Motor Corps had more than 17 volunteer drivers and riding assistants who were operating a station wagon that took children to and from Triangle School each day, and also transported children to the I.U. Medical Center.

1954: The Golden Bears basketball team, coached by Loren Joseph, prepared to open the home season at Paul Cross Gym against Silver Creek.

The Shelbyville News reported that a Columbus family had to drive a mile to report their house on fire because a party-line neighbor had the receiver off the hook so his sleep wouldn’t be interrupted.

The two Thomas Markets - the Thomas Fruit Market at the north edge of the city at U.S. 421 and State Road 9 and the Guinea Pig Market at Miller and Hendricks streets - celebrated their 5th anniversary with special sales. The Thomas Fruit Market was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Thomas, and the Guinea Pig market was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Thomas and son, Charles.

1944: The Rhythm Aces provided music at a community dance, held at the National Guard Armory, 9 p.m. to midnight.

1934: The Northwest Mounted Police Company appeared at The Alhambra Theatre for an “Arctic vaudeville sketch.”

1924: Over 500 people attended a program featuring five out-of-town Methodist choirs, hosted at the First M.E. Church.

George Estell began offering “vapor baths” and chiropractic services at 43 West Hendricks St.

The first patients were admitted into the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

1914: The Republican received its first letter to Santa, from William Kennedy, who asked for a blackboard, a desk with a light, a Christmas tree and a pennant.

An hour-long speech by banker George Stubbs at SHS was lauded by students. “It would be a good thing for the school if more men engaged in different businesses would lecture at the school,” The Republican said.

OBITUARIES

Goldie May Montgomery, 97, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, November 18, 2024, at Ashford Place Health Campus in Shelbyville. She was born June 30, 1927, in Shelbyville, the daughter of Pete and Lydia (Messmore) Schonfeld. In 1947, Goldie married Gordon “Dude” Montgomery, and he preceded her in death on September 27, 1990. Goldie is survived by her son, Greg Montgomery and wife, Judy, of Greensburg; grandchildren, Ty Montgomery and wife, Tiffany, Grant Montgomery and wife, Teresa, Brooke Robertson and husband, Brian, Stephanie Wehrman and husband, Ryan, Natalie Pumphrey and husband, Robert, and Ross Montgomery and wife, Michelle; great-grandchildren, Charlie Pumphrey, Mollie Pumphrey, Annie Pumphrey, Alex Wehrman, Elaina Wehrman, Trevor Robertson, Blake Montgomery(Madeline), Damon Montgomery, Violet Montgomery, Nathan Montgomery, Andrew Montgomery and Zach Montgomery; daughters-in-law, Judy Douglas of Shelbyville and Carol Miller of Kokomo; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to Gordon, Goldie was preceded in death by her parents; son, Victor J. Montgomery; brothers, John Schonfeld and Paul Schonfeld; and sisters, Edna Richey, Mary Graham, Nina Claytor and Opal Morgan.

Goldie graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1945. She was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church and Daughters of Isabella. Goldie formerly owned and operated Goldie’s Uniforms for 15 years. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Goldie loved her family and enjoyed spending time creating lasting memories with them.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 22, 2024, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, 2626 17th St., Columbus, Indiana 47201; Riley’s Children Foundation, PO Box 3356, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 or Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 228 E. Hendricks St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Online condolences may be shared with Goldie’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.

The Addison Times