Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Local Student Shares Summer Abroad Experience
ABOVE: Karina Calderon shares details of her summer experience in Spain. BELOW: (L to R) Everett Stegemiller, Lucille Haacker and Wyatt Armstrong partake in tapas, or snacks, at a recent Spanish Club meeting. | photos by KRISTIAAN RAWLINGS
No one could blame Karina Calderon for studying abroad last summer in lovely Leon, in northern Spain. But there were two conditions: “You can only speak Spanish, and you can’t take your phone,” she told members of the Shelbyville High School Spanish Club at a recent meeting.
Calderon, a junior and student in Spanish language classes, visited Spain as a member of the Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Languages. Expenses were covered by scholarships, including one from the Blue River Community Foundation, and personal fundraising.
Although she didn’t particularly enjoy the food on the international flight nor the four-hour bus ride from Madrid to Leon, she and a fellow scholar seamlessly fit in with their host parents, one a doctor, the other a musician.
“They were super chill, probably the best family in the program,” Calderon said.
Her days consisted of approximately six hours of classes, in which she studied grammar, linguistics, culture and literature. “I also studied sounds, including how people speak and the different uses of vocal cords in different languages,” she said.
She also participated in after-school activities and visited various parts of the country. One trip included a seven-hour trek to a cathedral. “We had to hike in silence because it was a spiritual hike,” Calderon said. Visits to art museums, islands and beaches were also included.
Food was an experience in itself. Calderon ate many home-cooked meals, with lunch around 2 p.m., tapas (snacks) in the early evening - “My favorite were the chicken wings,” she said - and dinner at 10 p.m. She also enjoyed fast food. “I think the place I spent the most money was Taco Bell.” Since Spanish Taco Bells don’t have chicken chalupas, she mostly ordered hardshell tacos. “The chicken is different (there). It’s like shredded chicken with tomato sauce. It was different, but it was good.”
When the six-week program concluded, Calderon retrieved her phone and immediately sent a text to her family group chat. But she reported not using the phone much the remainder of break.
It was certainly a summer to remember. “Overall, it was a very fun experience, and I learned a lot about myself and about others,” she said.
This Day in Shelby County History
2013: Rebuilding continued at The Long Branch Saloon and Bluebird Restaurant in Morristown following a Dec. 15 fire. Owner Donna Tracy said she expected re-opening to occur in May.
2003: U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Posz announced he would be leaving his local recruiting position, which he had held since 1999, to take a job as a career counselor at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Posz had been awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, three Army achievement Medals, four Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officers’ Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Distinguished Unit Citation. Posz graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1984, and received an Associate’s agree from Franklin College. His parents were Lou and Judy Posz.
1993: Although locals had been thrilled with a white Christmas, road conditions after 4.4 inches of snow had led to a spate of traffic accidents. The forecast called for continual freezing weather.
1983: Shelby County Food Center manager George Newton presented a bicycle to Doris Drake, Manilla, who had won the Pepsi Bicycle Contest. Food Center owner Ray Peden and employee Mike Holmes assisted with the presentation.
1973: Richard Jester and Robert West, heads of downtown Shelbyville retail business firms, announced plans to close their present store locations and open new stores in the same general area in early 1974. Jester Realty Co. owned the two adjoining building occupied by the West Store and the Creditthrift of America loan firm at 36 and 38 E. Washington St. Jester and West were planning to combine and modernize the buildings into one structure and open a new women’s apparel store to be called Major T. Jester Fashions Store. Jester had also sold 46 E. Washington St., occupied by Montgomery Ward Co., to West, who planned to open his men’s wear store in that location. Ward officials said they would likely move to another location in the city.
1963: Carl Terpenning was re-elected president of the board of directors of the Boys Club. Other officers elected were John Thomas, vice-president; Jim Young, secretary; Gary Coers, treasurer; Walter Kolls, first vice-presidsent; and new board members Joe Haseman and Scott Cederholmes. Ken Self, director, said there were 735 members at the club.
1953: Gerald Nelson, 147 W. Jackson St., won first place in the annual Christmas lighting contest, sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He won the “loving cup,” which traveled to the first-place winner each year. Russell Klare, 511 Van Ave., won second place, and Paul Hirschauer, 461 W. Mechanic St., was third. Judges were Malcolm Beck, James Matchett and Robert Ellison.
1943: Four inches of snow fell, causing several minor traffic accidents, with the most accidents occurring on State Road 29.
1933: Hendricks Township teachers had been unpaid for 11 weeks due to a budget shortfall. John Scott had just taken over the trustee position and was working to resolve the issue.
1923: West Street Methodist Church officials announced a choir would be formed during the upcoming revival. At least 60 were needed to form the choir, the officials said.
OBITUARIES
Lieutenant Colonel Chuck Cochran blocked out on God’s time for an on-time departure early morning Christmas Eve. Chuck was always amazed that in one lifetime he progressed from helping to plow with a team of horses to reaching the speed of sound in a single engine jet airplane.
Chuck was born on November 4, 1930, in Shelbyville, Indiana to the late Ralph and Pearl Cochran. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1947.
Chuck met Charlotte Sutheimer on a blind date when they were both students at I.U. Married in 1952, they were together 68 years, until her death three years ago. Their son Stephen was born in 1961 and, sadly, he died in 2000 as a result of an auto accident in which he was a passenger.
Chuck was in ROTC as a student at I.U. During his first year of law school in 1953 he was called to active duty in the Air Force. Chuck planned on doing the two years he owed the military and returning to law school. Plans change. Chuck’s return to law school was delayed for 25 years. He entered pilot training and excelled. Chuck enjoyed flying. As an Air Force pilot, he flew 7,000 hours in eight different types of airplanes. During the Vietnam war, he flew over 200 sorties in the combat zone for which he was credited with 87 missions and received two Air Medals.
After retiring from the Air Force, Chuck returned to law school. He graduated from the University of Dayton in 1985 and ended his law career as a judge in Ohio. After retiring from his second career, he and his wife Char returned to Shelbyville.
Together, the Cochrans enjoyed many years in the antique automobile hobby, specializing in Chrysler and DeSoto Airflows and winning several national awards. Both were also dog lovers, and in their later years adopted three rescue racing Greyhounds.
Visitation will be at Friday December 29, 2023 from 10 a.m. to noon at Murphy-Parks Funeral Services, 703 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, IN. 46176. Services will follow at noon at the funeral home with Rev. Seth Taylor officiating with military rites conducted by our Local Veteran Organizations. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, Stuart Parks, and Darin Schutt are honored to serve Chuck’s family. Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
Teresa G. Vinson, 66, of Shelbyville, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023, at MHP Medical Center in Shelbyville. She was born March 11, 1957, in Franklin, the daughter of Ewell and Susie (Hendley) Rodgers. On December 18, 1974, she married Michael D Vinson, and he preceded her in death on December 14, 2022.
Teresa is survived by her son, Michael Dale Vinson and wife, Ana, of Columbus; daughter-in-law, Rachel Vinson of Waldron; brother, Jimmy Rodgers and wife, Danna, of Franklin; sister, Debbie Ring and husband, Bruce, of Edinburgh; grandchildren, Victoria, Luis, Jordan, Clayton, Lauren and Riley; great-grandchildren, Everly, Aubrey, Charlotte, Russell, Mila and Maddy; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to Michael, Teresa was preceded in death by her parents; son, Richard G. Vinson; and brothers, Buell Rodgers and Randy Rodges.
Teresa retired from Brazeway in 2000, with over 15 years of service. She enjoyed working crossword and jigsaw puzzles, Teresa also enjoyed going to yard sales and flea markets.
Teresa was a loving mother to her sons, Michael Dale and Richard. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 11 am to Noon, Friday, December 29, 2023, at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow at noon, at the funeral home. Interment will be at VanPelt Cemetery in Shelby County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Association of Shelby County, PO Box 844, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. Online condolences may be shared with Teresa’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
Linda Lou Mandrell, 85, of St. Paul, passed away Thursday, December 21, 2023 at her residence. Born August 6, 1938 in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of Herman Lewis and Olive (McGinn) Briley. She married Ralph W. Mandrell in 1953, and he preceded her in 2001.
Survivors include three children, Debra Engle of St. Paul, Connie Hicks (husband Ron) of Napoleon, Tina Watt of St. Paul; two adopted daughters, Carrie Lyon of St. Paul and Colleena Wright of St. Paul; a brother, Charles P. Lewis of Sevierville, Tenn.; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouse, a son Ralph A. Mandrell Jr.; brother, Herman E. Lewis Jr.; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Mandrell had lived in this area for 54 years, after moving from Indianapolis. She was a homemaker. Linda was a member of the American Legion, the Red Hat Society, the VFW, and Senior Citizens of Shelby County. She volunteered at Major Hospital and lots of other social clubs.
Linda spent her life helping to run the family business, Thorntree Lake Mobile Home Park and Campground, and caring for her entire family with lots of love and devotion.
Graveside services will be 12:30 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023, at Hebron Cemetery in Decatur County, with Timothy A. Watt officiating. Friends may call on Friday morning, December 29, 2023 at Glenn E. George Funeral Home, 106 E. Franklin St., St. Paul, from 10 a.m. until noon, at which time the procession will leave for the graveside service. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.
Sherman Jeffrey Chaney, 57, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday, December 22, 2023 at his residence. Born November 11, 1966 in Shelbyville, he was the son of Sherman Chaney and Flora (Gibson) Comstock.
Funeral services will be noon on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road. Friends may call on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at glennegeorgeandson.com.