Published December 30th, 2009
By Sara Gentry
Before we ring in the new year, we can take a look back at what made news in 2009. From January to December, here are some of the stories that made headlines in The Southside Times this year.
Greenwood, WRT fill merger committee
Seven members of the study committee responsible for exploring the feasibility of a merger of White River Township (WRT) and the City of Greenwood were appointed in the first weeks of 2009. The WRT board voted on Jan. 6 to appoint Forrest Chamber and Paul Reed, both Republicans, and Dale Tumey, Democrat, to the reorganization committee. Greenwood selected Dr. Eric Kapke (D), David Payne (I) and Pat Sherman (R). The seventh member appointed was Don Hanlin.
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Should the merger would become a reality, the City of Greenwood (population 47, 700 in the latest census) would nearly double with the addition of the estimated WRT population of 42,000. That would make Greenwood the sixth-largest city in the state. White River Township board president Mark Messick said the merger would “drastically change things.”
UIndy's Stam crowned Miss America
After weeks of preparation and success on the TLC miniseries Miss America: Countdown to the Crown, Katie Stam was crowned Miss America.
“Honestly, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if she won,” her academic adviser, communication instructor and broadcasting veteran Scott Uecker had said.
“Occasionally we see a student who makes us say, ‘I’m going to be working for her someday.’ She is definitely one of those students.”
BG couple celebrate inauguration with Obama
Mike and Cheryl Fisher had a New Year’s Eve phone call that popped the cork on a stunning new year. They were invited to the Inauguration of the 44th president of the United States. And would they please join the presidential train ride from Philadelphia into Washington, D.C. on Saturday, Jan. 17? And would they also attend the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball? President-elect Barack Obama would like them to share the stage with him.
The Beech Grove couple didn’t have to think a long time about their answer: it was yes.
Local restaurants offer specialties at 2009 Taste of the Southside
They came by the hundreds, tasted food and drink by 45 local restaurants and left with tummies full and a new appreciation of exciting new foods.
For the 17th year, the Taste of the Southside was held at Valle Vista Conference Center in Greenwood Sunday.
And it was a royal feast.
“We were ready with 700 pounds of Johnson County-grown pork,” said Joseph Hewett, who refers to himself as chef de cuisine at Richard’s Kitchen in Franklin.
Long's crowned best doughnut by SST experts
Our trek to find the best doughnut included Southside mainstays, Mom and Pops and national chains. Each were given a level playing field; two original glazed doughnuts were purchased from each shop, quartered and then tasted in a blind test. Tasters rated each selection and gave their comments. While doughnuts can be purchased other places, the six chosen establishments were singled out due to their emphasis on either doughnuts or baked goods. The idea was to find the best single doughnut an individual Southsider could walk in and buy — no minimum orders allowed. With a five-doughnut rating, Long's Bakery came out on top.
Amtrak rides again
The 2009 stimulus package included about $82 million for train repair and upgrades. Vice President Joe Biden and Seventh District Congressman Andre Carson announced the stimulus award March 13 in Washington, D.C.
Eighteen of 68 railroad passenger cars would be repaired in order to return them to service. Some of the cars have sat for years or were in accidents.
Beech Grove Mayor Joe Wright said, “Amtrak has been a longtime employer for the Beech Grove community. We look forward to the progress the stimulus funds will provide in terms of job creation and improvements to the facility itself.”
SST names best weekend getaways
In celebration of the springtime gas-price reprieve, we at the Southside Times narrowed down the four best bets for weekend getaways. To keep driving time minimal, we selected destinations within the state line. These attractions — French Lick, Amish Country, Santa Claus and Indiana Dunes — can be reached on Friday night and enjoyed all day Saturday. No airfare necessary. The runner-up? Madison.
Teachers, parents surprise BG band
One Monday night, as the Beech Grove High School band played their final concert of the year, a group of adults waited on the other side of the auditorium door, preparing to surprise the students with the enormous, gleaming, black and orange answer to their prayers.
Last fall, the band announced a large-scale fundraising project. All year, the students, teachers, parents and alumni crossed their fingers, hoping to raise enough money to replace their large equipment trailer — bought in 1977 — and smaller uniform trailer, which they had outgrown.
Somewhat miraculously, the secret stayed under wraps, and, as far as band director Cory Wynn (himself a former Marching Hornet) could tell, not a single student knew the trailer was waiting just outside the door.
Police changes bring unrest to Southport
In a stormy public meeting, about 100 Southport residents wanted to find out if their police department was going to be changed or even eliminated.
“You’re an idiot!” an older man yelled at the mayor.
“Liar!” a woman shouted.
Mayor Rob Thoman kept his cool throughout the two-hour open meeting, and assured the crowd that he was not trying to eliminate the police department or reduce their pay.
An Ironman in the making
From December to July, Beech Grove High School teacher and coach Oskar Vuskalns pushed his body to new limits in preparation for the Ironman Lake Placid competition on July 26. The triathlon requires contestants to swim 2.4 miles, run 26.2 and bike another 112 in 17 hours or less.
Buckley hangs up helmet
"I didn't apply anywhere else," former Beech Grove fire chief Dennis Buckley said of his hometown station. "I didn't want to work anywhere else. There's something about serving on the fire department of the city you live in."
Buckley attributes the department's many successes, including being the first in the state to be nationally accredited in emergency service, to being attentive to good policies and procedures, practicing personal accountability and being conservative.
"The citizens came first with me, to meet their needs." Buckley said.
SST takes a trip back in time
The Aug. 20 issue included a B section dedicated to historical photos and stories celebrating the history of both the newspaper formerly known as The Perry Weekly and the south side itself.
The Churchman house, "Hillside," was located where Dollar General stands at Emerson and Churchman. The house was completed in 1872.
Greenwood's 'Annie' heads to Broadway
Kara Oates’ dream is coming true. The 10-year-old fifth grade student at Center Grove Elementary, who performed the title role in Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s production of Annie this summer, was chosen to perform on Broadway.
Kara is one of the 12 ballerina girls in Billy Elliot, the musical about a the son of a coal miner. The boy dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, even though his father wants him to become a boxer.
Through a connection made at Beef & Boards, Kara secured an agent and traveled with her mother to New York City in July to audition for the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Billy Elliot. She estimated there were a few hundred girls at the initial audition.
Billy Elliot runs through February at the Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St., between Broadway and 8th Ave.
City Hall mold controversy continues
Beech Grove's City Hall building has stood at the corner of Main Street and 8th Avenue for 81 years. Unfortunately, over the past few years, the building has begun to show its age. A leaky roof and drainage issues have resulted in a mold problem — and the mold problem has resulted in a political controversy.
Southside school referendums see mixed results
The once-lauded property tax cap reared its ugly head when the time came for school budgets to be tabulated. In Beech Grove, a shortfall threatened the school system's buses and technology, but hopes ran high, and BG won the funds in the end. Perry's shallow pockets weren't deepened, however, and the administration had to put a hold on any building projects or updates. Franklin Township faces severe cuts after failing to pass a referendum in their area, meaning layoffs will abound and budgets will be strict.
Unbalanced BG budget spawns contempt and accusations
As far back as early September, the Beech Grove grapevine was ringing with rumors of a tightened budget with no room for the city's dispatchers. At the annual Fall Festival, the Beech Grove Democrats Club warned fair-goers of what could be reported come budget-approval time.
The council held a meeting that was to include the first reading of the proposed budget and a public hearing regarding it. As the Hornet Park Community Center meeting room filled, more chairs had to be added to the seating area. Mayor Joe Wright struggled to be heard over the din of complaints as he called the meeting to order.
"Beech Grove city government does what its citizens expect it to do," said Wright, "And that's live within its means."
SST gains new gardening columnist
Our Oct. 8 issue featured weekly gardening columnist Carol Michel.
Perry grad captures Heartland Audience Award
Eric Jensen buys a cup of coffee every morning, except Eric doesn’t drink coffee. He’s enamored with the girl behind the counter. Unable to muster the courage to woo his love, an unlikely hero comes to the rescue — an eccentric homeless man with a heart of gold.
"Grande Drip" producer Greg Wilson was born in Indianapolis and is a graduate of Perry Meridian High School and Taylor University. After a few showings with the Heartland Film Festival, "Grande Drip" grabbed the coveted Audience Award. Wilson and his fellow filmmakers (wife Emily Moss Wilson and friends Ryan Cheevers and Angelo Restaino) currently are working on turning the 21-minute short into a full-length feature.
SST names best horror flicks
Web guy and graphics guru Brandon Gentry is pulled from his regular duties only a few times a year — basically whenever it's time to review food (Best Doughnut, Best Ice Cream) or when we need some Halloween expertise. This year, Brandon listed his favorites from the hundreds of scary movies he's clapped eyes on, and rom-zom-com (romantic zombie comedy) "Shaun of the Dead" got top honors.
Marching Hornets head to state
For the first time in 19 years — and with a new trailer in tow — Beech Grove High School's marching band competed in the ISSMA state finals. The band finished fifth in Class C. Center Grove High School clenched a third-place ranking in Class A, and Greenwood High School marched to second in Class B.
Tommy Cash concert benefits Flags Over Greenwood
Musician Tommy Cash started playing music at 16, around the same time that his famous brother, Johnny Cash, was putting out "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues" with Sun Records. Each year he does quite a few benefit concerts like his October show at Jonathan Byrd's Cafeteria. "It's a lot of fun to play those," Tommy said. "It's good to see them raise a lot of money."
Go glam
People have been saying it for years: "The '80s are back." We've been wearing leggings and tunics for ages, but some of the more outrageous looks haven't quite reached the mainstream again. This season, fur coats, body con dresses, sequins and over-the-knee boots are back.
BG planners address Main Street concerns
On Oct. 29, a few dozen citizens, the redevelopment committee (RDC), CrossRoad Engineers Vice President Trent Newport and Schneider Corporation Landscape Architect Mike Krosschell gathered at Beech Grove's Hornet Park Community Center to talk Main Street. A complete renovation of the street, including storm sewers and drainage, sidewalks, parking, paving, landscaping and common areas is set for 2011.
Arlington 2nd graders clear up Santa stumpers
While the circumstances surrounding Santa Claus may mystify adults, the kids have a pretty clear idea about what goes on come Christmas Eve.
What does Santa do during the rest of the year?
"He plays with penguins." - Matthew L.