Wednesday, April 2, 2025
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NATURE’S INVITATION
Despite the recent cool temperatures, signs of spring survive at Kennedy Park. | photo by JACK BOYCE
City Celebrates Comic Character’s Centennial
photo by ANNA TUNGATE
The real City of Shelbyville celebrated the fictional Bucky Barnes’ 100th birthday last week with a party fit for a comic book character. James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes, a character in Marvel’s Captain America series, was celebrated with serial films at The Strand Theatre and contests, a cake from Linne’s and an expert panel discussion at Blessing’s Opera House. There was even a silent auction for a Shelbyville Desk, the same type used by the creator of Barnes, and the inspiration for listing Shelbyville as the character’s hometown. The desk was donated by the Grover Center, which received the proceeds. (The desk was used for many years at a printing company by John Walker, who donated it to the Grover Center. The Center has in its collection an earlier Shelbyville rolltop desk with the patented typewriter drawer.)
The idea for the event came to Mayor Scott Furgeson from Laura Stieneker-Taylor. Furgeson decided to spearhead the party planning and used personal airline mileage rewards to fly in Kevin Scott, Ph.D., a University of West Florida professor who hails from Indianapolis and authored Marvel Comics Civil War and the Age of Terror: Critical Essays on the Comic Saga, which includes Barnes. “I really love (this field),” Dr. Scott said. “I teach comics, and it’s almost cheating, because teaching comics is so much fun.”
Vendors, including Spegel’s Prime Cuts and ManCave Comics and Collectibles, both in Shelbyville, were on hand for the event.
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NOTEBOOK:
The Shelbyville Board of Public Works and Safety yesterday approved the installation of a light on a utility pole at the Blue River Trailhead to have light in the vicinity of the sundial art installation. The Blue River Community Foundation is covering the $1,555 light purchase. The monthly light fee, to be covered by the City, will be $12.96.
Approximately 25 Shelbyville traffic signals will be fitted with an emergency preemption device, which will allow emergency vehicles to request priority at the signals. The equipment will change the lights accordingly to allow emergency vehicles through as needed, city engineer Tyler Comstock said. The equipment installation is thanks to an approximately $1 million federal grant.
Notice for bids to demolish the former Adams Glass building on W. Broadway will be published soon. “In a couple of weeks, you’ll have bids to open to tear down that building,” city attorney Jenny Meltzer said.
An unknown major tech company wants to turn more than 450 acres of Indianapolis land into a massive data center, The Indianapolis Star reports. Data centers are large, energy-intensive warehouses for the powerful computing equipment that powers most online activity. Indiana offers their operators a near-total tax break for as many as 50 years, an incentive that can be made even more attractive with property tax exemptions from local governments. The campus would be located just north of I-74, across what are currently 15 bucolic properties bounded by East Raymond Street, Davis Road, Troy Avenue, and South Post Road. It would border both Franklin and Warren townships. An attorney for the unnamed company said the data center is estimated to create about 400 jobs with an average annual salary upward of $100,000. Nearby residents, though, expressed concerns about utility bills and the environment.
Editor’s Note: The first Addison Times quarterly print edition of 2025 for supporters will go to press in a few days. Thank you to those who give online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history.
HOOSIER NEWS: Indianapolis has been granted international market rights to Switzerland, expanding the franchise’s European reach beyond Germany and Austria, the two countries where the Colts already held international marketing rights. The Colts played New England in Frankfurt, Germany last season, and Indianapolis will head back this season to play a game in Berlin as part of the team’s interest in Germany. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: In inflation-adjusted terms, the average American today is 4.3 times more affluent than in 1950. To put this into context, the federal poverty line for a single adult in 2025 is $15,060 per year. In 1950, the average American earned about two-thirds that amount each year, adjusted for inflation. Today, the average American worker produces 2.2 times the value of goods and services each hour worked as does a Russian worker, 4 times that of a Chinese worker and about 32 times as much as the average North Korean worker. (Dr. Michael Hicks/IndyStar)
Thank you to every donor for your continued support of The Addison Times. Donors of $100 or more receive a quarterly print publication in the mail. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation to The Addison Times, either online or via a check to The Addison Times, 54 W. Broadway, #13, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Thank you for your continued support of daily local news and history. I appreciate each of you. - Kristiaan Rawlings, Editor
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
May 20, 1959, Part II
The music department picnic was held at Pitts Ford.
“‘Does Nancy Bishop still play with dolls?’ This might have been your question if you’d seen Nancy carrying her sock doll around November 14. She was spotted with a shoe box containing a bed, covers, bed table and foot-rest. These were to be used as equipment for her sock-doll patient. But don’t be alarmed: this was just to illustrate some of the improvised equipment to the 2nd hour home nursing class.”
While taking attendance in his third hour class, Mr. McKeand commented, “Nice to see everyone here today. Attendance has been so bad lately that even the dean was on the dean’s list.”
Mike Bansbach, Dan Compton, Mike Kettler, Bill Kinnick, Dwain Myer and Stewart Ryan represented SHS at a Purdue University event. “Upon being asked what they liked best about Purdue, two of the boys replied, ‘Girls!’”
Rita Sandman had been surprised when she “and a certain junior boy” opened her locker and found approximately 30 pictures of the boy. It seems that Nancy Bogue, Pat Smith, Mary Stuart and Judy Swain had collected the above boy’s pictures from a Courier edition and pasted them in Rita’s locker. “Don’t bother looking in Rita’s locker now, though. The Adams wallpaper has been removed.”
Eighth grade commencement was set to be held in Paul Cross Gym. Rev. Frederick Whittaker, pastor of First Baptist Church, would be the speaker. Don Sexton would be master of ceremonies, Jean Gehr would give a speech and Linda Trueb would do the invocation. Class sponsors were Miss Wiley, Mr. Day, Mr. Page and Mr. Shull. Room representatives were Ronnie Cole, Mike Howell, Don Sexton, Becky Whitcomb and Gale Sleeth.
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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: Gov. Mitch Daniels’ proposal to help fund a new stadium for the Indianapolis Colts by imposing a restaurant tax in the eight central Indiana counties could harm smaller, family-owned restaurants, local owners said. Daniels had said keeping the Colts and expanding the convention center was a necessity.
1995: For the second time in three years, Klosterman Baking workers rejected efforts to unionize. The vote was 30-27 against joining the union.
1985: The city installed numerous “no parking” signs in front of businesses to enforce fire lanes. Harry Meeke, of Mickey’s T-Mart, said people were still parking in the first lanes and often refused to move even when asked.
After a jury and judge found in favor of the county regarding a lawsuit about jail conditions, Shelby County Commissioners petitioned the U.S. District Court in an effort to get the plaintiffs to pay some legal expenses, which would likely exceed $75,000.
1975: The Shelbyville Central Schools board accepted resignations from Jack Tindall, junior high guidance counselor who planned to enter private business; Carolyn Allan, SHS French teacher; and Virginia Ferris, SHS English teacher and Squib sponsor. Both Allen and Ferris cited “maternity reasons” for their resignations. In other news, the high school basketball coaching position had attracted 64 applicants. The post had been vacant since Tom Hewgley had resigned in February. The board also approved purchasing a PA system for Garrett Gymnasium, which they hoped would be ready in time for commencement.
1965: Southwestern High School was accepted into the North Central Association of Schools, an accrediting agency. Shelbyville High School was also a member.
History was repeating itself. A central flagpole had been torn down so that Joseph Memorial Fountain could be constructed over 40 years’ prior. With the fountain dismantled, city officials said a 50-foot aluminum flagpole had been ordered to go in its place. A new sidewalk was laid through the area where the fountain once stood and new parking meters and poles were erected along the side.
1955: The city-provided trash collection program, in place for over three years, was going well, city officials said. Previously, the city had employed one driver and two men to pick up garbage on irregular basis in residential areas. There was no route to follow and no fixed location where containers might be found. Because the garbage was not drained or wrapped, it was necessary to employ a second crew, with a non-compactor covered truck, in the summer months. The sanitation department hauled the collected garbage to a private swine feeding lot three miles east of the city. “Since the city did not pick up trash in residential sections, many alleys were almost impassable because of piles of ashes, cans, etc.” In 1951, following a college student study of the problem, the city began forming routes, set rules for leaving out trash and required bags and established a sanitary landfill to dump the garbage. The cost of the program in taxes came out to six cents a week for property owners.
1945: The federal government posted local ads looking for 200 laborers for construction work at Camp Atterbury.
1935: State police were summoned to Indianapolis to receive commands to strictly enforce the new Sunday closing provisions of the state liquor laws. Local establishments received notice of the meeting.
1925: The Shelbyville High School Squib was set to be published near the first of May. Josephine Mardis was the editor-in-chief. Miss Helen Richey, English teacher, was the advisor.
A Cincinnati coal dealer was fined $15 for driving over a fire hose while firemen were fighting a fire at West Street M.E. Church following an electrical short.
Morton Morris was recognized for his 25 years of service at the post office. Morris was the oldest man in the rural service. He had formerly used horse-drawn equipment until the automobile became more practical.
1915: The average temperature in March had been colder than in February, local weather observer E.G. Hodson reported.
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OBITUARIES
Jerry J. Lux, 86, of Shelbyville, passed away Friday, March 28, 2025 at the Willows of Shelbyville. Born August 17, 1938 in Shelby County, he was the son of Victor C. Lux and Marjorie N. Lux. He married Helen F. (Braunagel) Lux on February 17, 1962, and she survives. Other survivors include four children, Rick A. Lux (Andrea) of Waldron, Ronald E. Lux of Guam, Renee L. File (Greg) of Shelbyville, and Barry J. Lux (Margaret) of Fishers; three siblings, Danny Lux (Joyce) of Shelbyville, Mike Lux of Ohio, and Sherry Harding of Shelbyville; six grandchildren, Brad Lux of Indianapolis, Kiersten Lux of Denver, Colorado, Charlie Lux of Fishers, Olivia Lux of Fishers, Natalie Lux of Fishers, and Lance File of Shelbyville; and two great-grandchildren, Savannah and Weston. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Ted Lux and sister-in-law Marjorie Lux.
Mr. Lux was a lifelong resident of this area, and attended St. Vincent Elementary School until the eighth grade, then graduated from Waldron High School in 1956. He had been a factory worker at Arvin/Rollcoater, retiring in August 2000 after over 12 years of service. He had previously worked at GE/Wire Mill and Tokheim Corp. for over 12 years each. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Jerry enjoyed golfing, bowling, and square dancing. He was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan, and an Indiana University basketball fan. As a teenager, Jerry was crowned Corn Prince of the World by Federal Fertilizer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at St. Vincent Catholic Church, 4218 E. Michigan Road, Shelbyville, with Rev. Mike Keucher officiating. Burial will be in St. Vincent Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday evening, April 2, 2025, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday morning at the church. Rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. A luncheon will be provided in the St. Joseph cafeteria immediately following the graveside service and burial. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Joseph Building Fund. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Teddy Linville, 65, of Fairland, passed away March 31, 2025, at IU Health Methodist Hospital. He was born March 10, 1960, in Indianapolis to Clifford Galen Linville and Ina Jean (Dunagan) Winchester.
Teddy graduated from Triton Central High School with the Class of 1978. Through the years, he became a successful business owner, talented handyman, and jack of all trades. Most of all, he was a true servant. Helping others was a passion of his and he was always willing to lend a hand when he could. Teddy enjoyed bonfires and seeing all his friends at his November Harvest Parties. He also enjoyed being outdoors, especially his time spent on the water boating and fishing. He was an active member with the Fairland Lions Club in the Triton Community for many years. He was also an active member of the New Life UMC in Fairland, prior to its closing.
Teddy is survived by his daughter, Ashley Conway (husband, Mark), his son, Matthew Linville, his grandchildren, Landon Conway, and Jensen Conway, his sister, Gladys Nusbaumer (husband, Danny), his brothers, Mike Swearingen (wife, Susie), and Joe Linville (wife, Sarah), his sister, Brenda Dunn, his brother, Dan Linville (wife, Geth), his sister, Theresa Nelson (husband, James), his nephews, Joshowa Nelson and Mark Donnella, several other nephews and nieces, his significant other, Jamie Franklin and her three children, Andrew, Tyler and Jayden Franklin. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Aaron Linville, and his nephew, Travis Nusbaumer.
A gathering of friends will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Murphy-Parks Funeral Service, 703 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. A celebration of life will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Tara Varner officiating. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Teddy’s family. Memorial contributions honoring Teddy may be made to the Fairland Lions Club, 7930 West 800 North, Fairland, IN 46126. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.