Wednesday, April 30, 2025
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Maxima Moments: Latin Scholars in the Spotlight
Shelbyville High School Latin teacher Mrs. Whitney Campbell takes a photo of Latin II National Exam Award recipients Candace Washburn (maxima cum laude - silver), Adelyn Marshall (cum laude) and Harika Patel (maxima cum laude - silver) at last night’s Latin Honor Society Induction and Latin Awards Ceremony. Latin I students recognized for their National Latin Exam results were Chloe Caldwell (summa cum laude - gold), America Leon-Torres (maxima cum laude - silver), Hana Stenger (magna cum laude), Ella Beck (magna cum laude), Flor Roman (cum laude) and Mellie Ballast (cum laude). Senior Latin students receiving their honor cords for graduation were Anna Ballast, Ev Barnum and Lilly Conners. New National Latin Honor Society inductees were Anna Ballast, Mellie Ballast, Ella Beck, Chloe Caldwell, Jasey Conner, Lilly Conners, America Leon-Torres, Adelyn Marshall, Jayda Powell, Flor Roman, Hana Stenger, Elizabeth Washburn and Kaley Wiley. Returning underclass Honor Society members are Sydney Brown, Anne Marie Fansler, Cora Flynn, Harika Patel, Shay Schiloski and Candace Washburn. | photo by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
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NOTEBOOK:
The Strand Theatre has halted operations effectively immediately in the wake of issues following the planned demolition of 15-17 Broadway St., which is connected to the theatre. “The building structure is the same structure,” Strand director David Finkel told the Shelbyville Board of Works yesterday regarding the two buildings. After the City of Shelbyville declared the Broadway property to be unsafe, and bids were accepted to demolish the structure, Strand officials notified their insurance company of the looming issue, and the insurance company said they would issue a cancellation notice. “This is a very stressful time on all The Strand volunteers and leadership,” Finkel said. A highly-shared Facebook post from The Strand explains the history of the organization and the refund process for upcoming shows, noting that donations are necessary for The Strand to move forward once the issue is resolved. “The Strand Theatre is funded 100% by ticket and event revenue. The Strand does not have the resources to survive this closure and will need outside funding to continue,” the post said. “This is the first time The Strand will be reliant on others for financial help since our founding in 2006 and including the period of the pandemic,” Finkel said. Upcoming events which have been canceled include tonight’s film, the Shelbyville High School jazz concert set for Thursday and the Community Treasure Series lecture on Saturday. The all-volunteer Strand staff acquired, renovated and operates the Strand. Since the re-opening of the historic theatre, the Strand has presented 1,786 events with a total audience of 160,288.
The Board of Works yesterday approved road closures for the upcoming St. Joe Festival, set for May 8 - 10. Event details here…
The Board of Works also approved Parks officials to dress the Balser statue on Public Square with a kilt next month in recognition of the upcoming third annual Blue River Highland Games and Festival, May 17.
The Board of Works approved the purchase of a $1 million fire truck to replace aging equipment. Ten years ago, the fire department purchased two trucks for the price they are now able to purchase one, Fire Chief Doug Lutes said.
Shelbyville High School’s softball team (10-6) moved up a spot to No. 13 in IndyStar rankings. They have a big game tomorrow against No. 1-ranked New Palestine (10-1).
The Shelbyville High School Class of 1975 50th reunion is set for Saturday, June 7, 7-11 p.m., at Blessings Opera House, 18 Public Square, Shelbyville. The cost is $35 per person payable to: Class of 75, P.O. Box 599, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. Class representatives will be at the information tent on Public Square during the Taste of Shelby County event, Friday, June 6, 6-10 p.m. For additional information about the reunion, Friday morning golf (additional cost) and Saturday morning tour of Shelbyville High School, contact Larry Lux (luxlarry@yahoo.com).
HOOSIER NEWS: A broken track was the cause of a train derailment off the Southeastern Avenue overpass that dumped cornstarch on the roadway, according to CSX. The freight railroad company told IndyStar the broken rail was within CSX's Hawthorn rail yard and the derailment happened during “normal train building operations.” The derailment happened about 6:35 p.m., April 6, near Southeastern Avenue and Earhart Street. Indianapolis Fire and Metropolitan Police closed the area so crews could do a cleanup. (IndyStar)
NATIONAL NEWS: While sales of chicken breast by volume are up 3.9 percent in the past three years, sales of thighs are up 15.9 percent over the same period. Beyond taste, the new accessibility of boneless, skinless chicken thighs is actually a more recent innovation; it was only in the 2000s that the industry made automated ways of processing thighs, with the Baader 632 Thigh Filleting System able to process 230 thighs per minute. (The Atlantic/Numlock)
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SHS Courier Archive Highlights
March 19, 1931, Part II
Numerous SHS students had worn green for St. Patrick’s Day. Several boys wore green shirts or sweaters. Teachers Jon Densford and Cecil Pucket wore green ties. Many girls - including Goldie Means, Mary Hamblen and Marian Meloy - wore green beads and ribbons.
The superintendent of Salem City Schools visited Shelbyville to observe SHS social science teachers. He was looking for ideas to improve his social science department.
Home track meets would be held at the county fairgrounds.
The federal government covered the cost of 10 SHS boys attending Citizens Military Trianing Camp, held at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Pleas Greenlee was the local chairman for the initiative.
The average “gum chewer” at SHS spend $8 a year on gum ($161 in today’s money).
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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: Sarah Jones and Tyler Orem received academic scholarships during the Shelbyville Central Schools spring banquet from the Shelbyville Central Schools Teachers Association.
Members of the Shelbyville High School 82nd May Festival court were Lord Mayor Tyler Orem, Lady Mayor Sarah Baysden, Kendra Kaiser, Brian Kolls, Adam Blackburn, Molly Nash, Lori Nigh, Blayr Green, Erica Cole, Jamie Gleason, Megan Seeman, Lincoln Gardner, Stuart Jones, Andrew Collins, Nick O’Connor and Wes Prichard.
1995: A 35-year-old woman who had allegedly formed a local gang called the “Crips” while she was living on McNay Lane was arrested along with three others for spray-painting gang-related symbols on buildings in Shelbyville.
1985: John Mahin announced Mahin’s Furniture, 9 Public Square, would close after eight years in business.
1975: Shelco Beverage defeated Dake Engineering to win the local volleyball league, played at the Civic Center. Shelco team members were Mike Hobbs, Dave Hensley, Gary Hensley, Don Crosby, George Prell, Rod Dickmann, Jim Wells and Rod Edwards.
Morristown won the 1975 Shelby County track and field championship. Team members were Ray McCormick, Robin Hart, Greg Wheelden, Dee Neuenschwander, Jeff Moore, Jon Bridges, Kevin Willard, Melvin Lain, Jerry Terrell, Ron Garrett, Roger Carlton, Roy Hardwick, Kevin Schofner, Tom Hanson, Roy Pribble, Bill Terrell, Kerry Kilgore, Ron Nolley, Wendell Hester, Daryl Kuhn, Jim Linville and Rusty Read. Mike Stine was the head coach, and Phil Morris was the assistant coach.
1965: A southbound car, out of control, smashed into Barbara’s Steak House just south of the Walkerville Bridge on Vine St., doing extensive damage to the building. The driver was cited for reckless driving.
George Boyd, 36, was named principal of Shelbyville High School, succeeding J.M. “Mac” McKeand, who would remain on board as a math teacher and assistant principal. Boyd had been the junior high school principal in Mooresville.
Golfers at Elks Blue River Country Club faced an unusual hazard on the third hole. A raccoon took over the green and “patrolled” it for nearly six hours. It chased balls when they rolled on the green, walked up to players as they approached and chased away two dogs which were accompanying playing groups. Some thought it was a tame raccoon; others thought it was a new mother with a den nearby. The raccoon finally gave up her vigil at dark.
1955: Charles Cassady, Waldron, was invited to try out for the U.S. Olympic Decathlon team. Cassady was a senior on Coach Bill Doig’s teams.
Mary Lou Rahe was named queen of the 31st annual Spring Festival at Paul Cross Gym. She was escorted by Lord Mayor Carl Cawood. The crown was carried by Daryl Curson, 5.
A group of girls met at the Booker T. Washington Recreation Center to form a teenage girls’ club. Earlene Smith was sponsor of the club. Members of the committee were Alice Murphy, Joan Fields, Esther Roberson, Doris Bennett, Carole Ann Fields, Bonnie Megerle, Norma Roberts and Laura Bennett. Officers were Doris Bennett, Bonne Megerle and Laura Bennett.
1945: The Shelby County Farm Bureau Co-op Association on East Washington Street offered discount pressure cookers at bulk rates.
1935: Waldron merchants announced plans for a Street Fair. A magician would drive through the streets blind-folded at 2:30 p.m.
Lester McRoberts bought the barber shop on East Washington Street from William Sanders.
1925: Nine Civil War veterans, all residents of Shelbyville and members of the Dumont Post No. 18, G.A.R., were homebound and ill, local commander T.F. Chafee said. Samuel Rowe, 89, was still faithfully attending the meetings, which were dwindling due to the recent deaths of several Civil War veterans.
1915: Over $4,000 had been donated by locals for the Scouts movement. Numerous people had donated $100 a year for three years to get the movement off the ground. “The schools are doing a great work in education but the average boy wants and craves activities aside from school work - wants to do something that will use his pent-up energies that must be exhausted at times to prevent him from blowing up,” The Republican said.
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OBITUARIES
Ama Louise Johnson, age 96 1/2 years, passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Morristown Manor Nursing Home. Born September 17,1928, to Lena and Shafter Harvey in Russell Springs, Ky. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her three brothers (James, Ralph and Everett) and her sister (Shirley).
Louise and her husband of 63 years, David H. Johnson, who passed away in 2013, have lived in Shelbyville since their teens. She married David in April 1950 at the Shelbyville Church of God by the Rev. Culver. Louise worked at Western Electric before becoming a full-time housewife (with several part-time jobs through the years) to raise four children.
Louise was the mother of three sons, Tim (Marianne) Johnson of South Carolina, Bill Johnson (deceased 2015), and Rick Johnson, of Indianapolis; one daughter, Delaina (Mike) Peters of Shelbyville; five grandchildren: Will (Nicole) Heck, Mark Johnson, Troy (Jessica) Johnson, Trent Johnson, and Carianne (Chris) Chapman; five great-grandchildren; Mia (Cameron) Patterson, Graham, Reece and Blaine Johnson, and Callahan Chapman, plus one great-great grandchild, Baylor Patterson. In addition, she counts several nieces and nephews as a vital part of her family. Louise was first and foremost known as a loving mother who made countless sacrifices for her children and taking care of her husband during his medical problems in later years. She always put others before herself in every decision she ever made. She will be loved and missed dearly by all that knew her kindness and spirit for life.
Graveside rites and burial will be at 9 a.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery, 704 Morris Avenue, Shelbyville on Friday, May 2, 2025. A Celebration of Life with refreshments will take place immediately after at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, Shelbyville, Ind., 46176. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Morristown Manor Nursing Home whose staff and fellow residents helped to make her life comfortable for her stay there. In addition, she would have wanted us to thank the staff from Brighton Hospice Indiana for their support. Online condolences may be shared at glenngeorgeandson.com.