The Madison Avenue Businessmen’s Association hosted what it called the city’s biggest and best Halloween party. Festivities featured the crowning of Miss Madison Avenue, a parade, a talent show, trick horseback riders and a costume contest.
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Electric steam and dry irons – $9.99 each – were a hot item at Circle Furniture Co., 938 Virginia Ave.
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Sirloin steak cost 37 cents a pound.
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Hermina Ritter and Mrs. Authur Bech hosted a get-together and threw a “surprise handkerchief party.”
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Southport High named Carl Braden as its basketball and golf coach. A member of the Fort Wayne South Side state championship basketball team in 1938, he played collegiately for Tony Hinkle at Butler before coaching at Boone County, Center Grove and Warren Central high schools.
Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1964
Popular Halloween costumes included Casper the Friendly Ghost and all of his Ghostland characters.
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According to the federal government, families spent 19 percent of their after-tax income on food.
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Three boxes of Cracker Jack cost 25 cents.
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The University of Minnesota’s 170-member marching band performed during halftime of the Manual-Wood football game. The band was known for its unique sound and precision marching routines.
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Here’s a headline that you wouldn’t see today: “Orphan home will be gay Friday night.”
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Queen candidates for Sacred Heart Central High School’s homecoming dance were Rita Caito, Sandy Fitzpatrick, Linda Moran, Linda Thomas, Janet Heinselman and Mary Massing.
Forty Years Ago This Week – 1974
The Rev. Paul N. West, who had spent the past 10 years doing missionary work in Malaysia, spoke at Rosedale Hills United Methodist Church, 4450 S. Keystone Ave.
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A one-bedroom half-double with a basement and a garage at 1942 E. Epler Ave. rented for $115 a month.
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Army Pvt. Sharon O’Brien, daughter of Una Birdeen O’Brien, graduated from the finance specialist course at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis.
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Top performers in the candy sale sponsored by Indianapolis Public School 34’s PTA were Michael Tompkins and Billy Snead, both of whom won televisions.
Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1984
Eli Lilly and Co. dedicated its new $65 million corporate center and research facilities in Downtown Indianapolis. The site featured 30 buildings over a 15-block area.
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The city hoped to discourage the burning of leaves by picking up bagged leaves.
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The Merry Makers from Perry Township Senior Services sang and danced for residents of the Garfield Park Health Center. The performers were Lucille Springer, Katherine Hoschouer, Sarah Allen, Fern Thomas, Artie Carpenter, Janet Wilham, Rosemino Weaver, Kaye Romano and Mae Root.
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Former Roncalli football players playing for Indiana Central University were John Kennedy, Pete Swartz, Andy Mappes, Dan Annee, Jim House, Mike Mappes, Duane Lutgring, Steve Wilson and Kenny Gillum.
Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1994
An adorable picture of Taylor Renae Schiefelbein, who was celebrating her first birthday, was published. She was the daughter of Greg and Renea Schiefelbein.
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The National Institute for Healthcare Research reported that American dads spent about twice as much time with their sons as did their Japanese counterparts.
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The annual Oldtimers Kickball Tournament was held at St. Jude School, where the Frogs emerged victorious for the fifth time in the past six years. The team featured Michele Shaw, Linda Stahl, Dana Hanson, Colleen Devore, Leslie Challis, Nancy Prather, Erin Lind, Cathy Buergler, Barb Axom, Alyson Gurganus, Fran Moran, Theresa Wells-Ditton, Brenda Christ and Janie Killion.
Finishing second was Wirty’s Wild Women, which was represented by Pam Loham, Elaine Shaw, Cathy Barnes, Jodi Eagan, Claire Bowser, Terri Stumpf, Julie Stumpf, Joan Cahill, Cathy Huser, Susie Corsaro, Joanna Sahm, Madonna Kidwell, Patty Abrams, Melanie Sahm and Sandy Mennel.
Ten Years Ago This Week – 2004
Indiana Department of Transportation officials were surging straight forward with their plans to construct an extension of I-69 from the Southside to Evansville despite an outlash from the public.
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Franklin Central High School English educator Lisa Laker received a Project E Teacher Award for engaging her students through the use of innovative techniques.
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Katie Lynn Gray, daughter of Anita Gary, and Timothy Early Stivers, son of Bill and Linda Stivers, were married at the Murat Temple. Amy Gray served as the maid of honor, Bill Stivers as best man. The newlyweds honeymooned at Walt Disney World.
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Newly elected officials of the Perry Township Education Foundation were Jim Head, president; Carol J. Sewell, vice president; Jerry McAfee, secretary; and Tom Sponsel, treasurer.
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Results from a poll conducted by the National Confectioners Association revealed that trick-or-treaters didn’t like to receive salty goodies or fruit. The survey also found that 90 percent of parents admitted to sneaking into their children’s candy bags.
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Dr. Marnie J. Widdifield opened a family practice at 549 E. County Line Road.