Tuesday, September 10, 2024
FAMILY PORTRAIT
Emma and Thomas Midgett took advantage of Saturday’s fair weather at Blue River Memorial Park for some cell phone family photos with baby Isla. | photo by JACK BOYCE
NOTEBOOK:
Shelby County Commissioners yesterday discussed installing a three-way stop sign in the middle of Middletown, at E. Michigan Road and Middletown Road, but ultimately tabled the matter for further review. Middletown resident John D. Smith approached the board and detailed four recent examples of vehicles running off the road, presumably due to exceeding the 40 mile-per-hour speed limit. One car went through a house, “over (the resident’s) recliner, over his TV and into his bedroom,” Smith said. Smith helped rebuild another house after a car went through it. A pick-up truck hit a tree in one resident’s yard. With the tree down, another car later crashed into the house, Smith said. “The car came around there and hit the guy’s wife’s car, it knocked it into another car and threw the car up on the front porch of the house,” he said, adding that numerous passing cars fail to slow down. Commissioner Kevin Nigh conceded that visibility is somewhat limited at the intersection, and Commissioner Don Parker noted that the speed had been lowered in recent years and said he was typically opposed to installing stop signs in such instances. Sheriff Louie Koch said he was neither supportive nor opposed to a stop sign, and said other places in the county see similar accident counts. Commissioners discussed the possibility of placing a portable radar speed sign in the area and agreed to discuss the matter further.
A driver who stopped on N. Harrison St. due to the blinking yellow crosswalk lights was rear-ended by another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle did not have a driver’s license and was charged with a misdemeanor.
A bicyclist using the cross walk on N. Harrison St. was struck by a work truck. A school bus had stopped for the bicyclist, but the truck did not stop. The bicyclist was treated on the scene by medics and released.
NATIONAL NEWS: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” made $110 million domestically this weekend, at the high end of estimates, good for the second-largest September opening after “It.” It’s doing especially well among women (54 percent to 58 percent of moviegoers) and made more than a third of its money in Imax and large-format screens. This also makes it one of the rare sequels that opened to more money in its first weekend than the first film made during its entire run at the domestic box office. (Hollywood Reporter/Numlock)
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Library Hosts Open Mic Night: Invites Community to Participate
Shelby County Public Library is hosting an Open Mic Night in the outdoor plaza, 57 W. Broadway St., on Monday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
All ages of performers and attendees are welcome. Visit the front desk to sign up early, or hold off and secure a performance time that evening. Each slot has a two-song maximum, but multiple open slots to continue sharing tunes may be available. Participants will showcase their musical talent on the gazebo stage in the plaza; the event will be canceled with inclement weather.
In 2017, Blue River Community Foundation awarded the library a $150,000 Ignite Grant to install a community plaza between the main library building and its annex, Carnegie East Wing. The finished project includes a gazebo that is wired for electricity, has lights under the roof and below the stage, and offers a hookup for a microphone. A color-changing fountain, benches, and patio tables with umbrellas make this an ideal spot to sit and enjoy library events.
Performers including Colton Chapman, Scot Shrader, Trent Moss & the Fairland Ramblers - now called Trent Moss Band - Black Belt Jones, Hungrytown, the Moon Cave Ramblers, the Squirrel Hillbillies, and many more have taken the stage in the plaza since its completion in 2018.
Shelby County Public Library offers a wide array of programs for adults, teens, and children: story times, book discussions and author visits, how-to programs, and entertainment events such as this one. For further information about Open Mic Night, call the library at (317) 398-7121.
SHS Courier Archive Highlights:
Feb. 14, 1980, Part I
Editor’s note: The following is a complete article from this edition by Cyndi West. We will get to the highlights in tomorrow’s edition.
Teaching in same school, hall makes Murphys unique couple
Although you probably never gave it any thought, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Murphy are a rather unique couple. You don't often find a husband and wife both teaching in the same building (let alone the same hallway). The two usually see each other at lunch, but sometimes never encounter one another once they're at school.
Mr. Murphy states the two “almost missed each other,” not meeting until the second semester of their senior year in college. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy both attended Indiana University.
The Murphys planned to get married and both find a job teaching in the same school following graduation, but that was not a simple task. They attempted to attain a job in Mr. Murphy's native town of Connersville, but the school was a little uneasy about hiring a married couple to teach in the same building. Thus, the Murphys were forced to postpone their wedding.
Mr. Murphy took a job in Connersville, and Mrs. Murphy began teaching world history at Shelbyville the year after their graduation from college in 1964. The Murphys were married in the small community of Bengal in 1965. After a year at Connersville, Mr. Murphy taught at Rushville for two years. Finally in 1967 an opening occurred for a chemistry and calculus teacher at SHS. Mr. Murphy took the position.
He has been strictly a math teacher for the last 11 years, however Mr. Murphy states it's “better to live where you teach.” When the Murphys were teaching at separate schools (he at Rushville, she at Shelbyville), activities such as basketball games presented problems because they each wanted to go to their own school’s activities.
Mrs. Murphy quit teaching in 1970 to have their only child, Mark. She didn't teach again until 1976, when Mark entered first grade. After returning, she taught U.S. History instead of World History.
Some advantages of teaching together, the Murphys point out, are they “save transportation”
by riding together, they have basically the same friends, they have some common students, and if one has something to tell the other while at work, they're near.
Students that are common to both Mr. and Mrs. Murphy often tend to “play one against the other,” such as comparing Mrs. Murphy's views to those of Mr. Murphy.
One thing the Murphys certainly don't talk much about at home is school.
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: Shelbyville High School industrial technology teacher Al Parsons was honored by the state’s association of engineering and technology teachers, receiving the Teacher Excellence Award at the organization’s annual conference. Parsons had been surprised to learn he would be the recipient. “I was standing in the cafeteria before school and (SHS Principal) Kathleen (Miltz) came up to me and said, ‘Congratulations.’ I said, ‘What for?’ then she told me about the award,” Parsons told The Shelbyville News.
2004: Members of the Sugar Creek Masonic Lodge held a groundbreaking on County Road 450 West in Fairland. The new facility, donated four years prior by sisters Cora and Julia Goodrich, was expected to be ready by the end of the year. Those participating in the ceremony included Fred Nevels, Paul Grisso, Jeff Kruzil, Cora Goodrich, Julia Goodrich, Bill Johnson, Larry Mohr, Ezra Cradic, Larry Newton, Jody Olinger, Dr. Robert E. Judah II and Brian Kitchens. The lodge had been at 110 S. Mulberry St. for more than 50 years.
1994: Bob Evans Farms bought an acre of land in the Belaire Shopping Center for the site of a “small town” restaurant.
1984: An Indiana National Guard helicopter, based at the Shelbyville Armory, made a forced landing in Rush County. Guardsman Michael Ashley landed in a pasture just outside Glenwood after an engine warning light went on in the cockpit. Mechanics repaired the helicopter and it returned to Shelbyville.
1974: The Shelbyville City Council endorsed naming the Shelbyville High School gymnasium in honor of the late William “Bill” Garrett.
Kenneth Self, director of the Shelbyville Boys Club, was named winner of the Outstanding Citizen Award, and Ernest Conrad Jr. was named Outstanding Optimist Award recipient at the annual Optimist Club’s awards banquet at the Chicken & Steak Inn. John Thomas presented the awards. Self, a native of Rushville, came to Shelbyville in 1954 as director of the Boys’ Club here. During his tenure, the club moved to its new building in 1960. He was cited for “devoting countless hours, efforts, patients, understanding and guidance to thousands of boys from this community.” Self was married and had one son, Skip.
In other local group news, Jeff Wright, president of the Shelbyville Jaycees, was guest speaker at the Shelbyville Jayshees meeting. Paul Lockridge was host at the annual fall steak fry for the Lions Club. Guests for the event were Paul Miller, Pat Smith, Jack Boyce, M.S. Richardson and Virgil Hahn.
1964: The season-opening dance was held at The Rec. The Rec had been established under the direction of Rev. Ernest Ford on Sept. 23, 1943. It was sponsored by the Lions Club and supported by SCUFFY. Membership for the 1963-64 year had been 700 and overall attendance was 43,000. Two boards made up the organization’s governance. Junior Rec board members were Janie Cord, Dave Staats, Janet Grigsby, Vic Montgomery, Rita Mitchell, Micki Chambers, Daryl Bernard, Linda Owens, Pete Sexton, John Hayes, Jane Patterson, Mike Wells, Steve Fansler, Sheila Kelly, Kenneth Nugent, Linda Kelso, John Clark and Bonnie Swinford. Senior Rec board members, from the community, were Bob Gary, Dick Kiefer, Ted Hotopp, Carl McNeely, Paul Sirkus, Herbert Runnebohm, William Reimann, Malcolm Clay, William Benefiel, Jiggs Cord, John Mardis, Charles Williams, Don Graves, Rev. Ronald Felty and Robert Moore.
1954: Max Steffey, Donald Wortman and Larry Wood filled the selective service quota for Shelby County by voluntarily joining the armed forces.
A public street party was held on S. Noble Street. Bob Good, local attorney, was master of ceremonies. Joe Boyer had come up with the idea for the event, which featured treats for children and a dance for adults.
Shelby Gravel, located on McKay Road, purchased the W.P. Wolfal Co. in Rushville.
Nate Kaufman was remodeling the former Meloy Gift Shop, at Post St. and W. Broadway. He said a new store would go in on the ground floor and apartments might be upstairs. A Bedford limestone was being installed on the building, with work done by Fred Taylor and Roscoe Rogers. Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. had leased part of the building.
1944: Pfc. Walter Adam Jr., 19, was killed in France. His mother, Carolyn Adam, 52 E. Pennsylvania St., was notified by a War Department telegram. Adam was the 32nd Shelby County man to lose his life in World War II. His mother had received a letter from him one week before his death. Pfc. Adam had played on the SHS football team and graduated in 1942.
Sixteen Shelby County men were inducted into the armed forces: Charles Williams, George Howard, Dale Wiley, Clyde Hobbs Jr., Clyde Phares, Gerald Shepple, Ray Sweet, Varlis Conover, Morris Blaich, Billy Bob Reed, Harlan Crafton, Donald Cuzzort, Carl Corley, Warren Lowe Jr., Lloyd Hill and Millard Zeigler.
1934: The Sugar Creek Christian congregation in Brandywine Township celebrated its 100th anniversary. Everett Snodgrass read a history of the church and a bronze plate was presented to the congregation commemorating the centennial celebration.
1924: Tim McCoy, hero of numerous Western films and idolized by American boys, appeared at the Alhambra Theater with five “full-blooded Indian chiefs,” according to the theater staff. “The Indians are genuine ones, not the least bit phony, and since Indians are scarce in these parts, these men in their tribal regalia also will be eyed with delight by Shelbyville’s young folks,” The Republican said.
1914: Lawrence Brown, clerk in the Schroeder Pharmacy on South Harrison St., was arrested and charged with selling a half-pint of whiskey without a prescription.
Members of the First M.E. Church had given $20,800 (approximately $380,000 in today’s money) to the church and its related causes over the previous 12 months.
OBITUARIES
Donald D. Isgrigg, 71, of Rushville, passed away Monday, September 9, 2024, at Greenfield Healthcare in Greenfield. He was born November 19, 1952, in Shelbyville, the son of Earl and Virginia (Higgins) Isgrigg. Donald is survived by his daughter, Dawn Isgrigg of Shelbyville; grandsons, Logan and Eli; brother, Rick of Flat Rock; and sister, Karris of Shelbyville. He was preceded in death by his parents.
In 1970, Donald graduated from Shelbyville High School. He was a guitarist and loved music. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Online condolences may be shared with Donald’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
James William Slavey Jr., 63, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday September 6, 2024, at Franciscan Health Indianapolis. He was born March 4, 1961 in Pulaski Co., Ken., to James W. Slavey and Peggy A. (Prather) Slavey.
James was raised in the Southern Baptist faith and he loved the Lord. He also had a love for classic cars. He enjoyed playing pool, attending car shows, collecting Hot Wheels cars and going to flea markets with his wife. James had a good sense of humor and loved to tell jokes.
He married Betty C. (Skaggs) Bright and she survives. He is also survived by daughters, Paige Slavey (Huston Chandler) and Samantha (husband, Gary) Owens; his son, Kyle Wilhelm; his grandchildren, Elizabeth Brown, Sabrina Fischer, Tessa Fischer; his sister, Robin (husband, Lee) Burkhead; his nephews, James (wife, Amanda) Purdue, Jarrod Burkhead and Cody Aulby; his niece, Amanda Aulby; his great-nieces, Arabella Burkhead, Hailey Purdue and Kavina Hammer; his cousin, Freda Dixon (John Cline); his sister-in-law, Gemai (husband, Shawn) Buckwalter; his brothers-in-law, Chuck (wife, Tina) Skaggs and Shawn (wife, Lori) Skaggs. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Friday, September 13, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176. Funeral services will be Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN, 46176. Burial will be in Miller Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks and Stuart Parks are honored to serve James’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Francis Dale (Franny or Fran) Baker passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2024, in Ft. Myers, Florida after a brief illness.
He was born January 13, 1930, to Jess and Viola (Kuhn) Baker in Shelbyville, Indiana, graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1948, and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. On May 7, 1955, he married Sharon (Wuellner) Baker, and she survives. During their 69 years of marriage, Franny and Sharon resided in both Indiana and Florida. Spending Sunday dinners and all holidays with extended family, attending the Indy 500 qualifications, fishing and hunting with his brothers, supporting fast pitch softball leagues at Kennedy Park, excelling at the game of Euchre, and supporting their daughters’ activities filled his life.
Franny was a salesperson and distributor for The Drewrys Brewing Company and owned Linton Beer Sales/Advanced Supply Company, all the while using his businesses to support numerous Indiana community projects in Shelbyville, Linton, and the surrounding areas. He was a great storyteller whose stories got bigger as the years passed. When people say, “He had a smile and laugh that could light up a room,” they were describing Franny. And his family is pretty certain that when he reached the Pearly Gates, he was forced to adopt a whole new set of expletives, as he had a “colorful” way of describing things.
Besides Sharon, he leaves behind six daughters: Faith (Charles) Hawk, Barbara (Tim) Rice, Dale (Bob) Glass, Charlotte Maas, Sherry (Todd) Vandeventer, Teresa (Danny) Willis, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and three brothers. A graveside service at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville, Indiana will be held at a future date.