Summer program takes girls to master gardener's garden
As soon as local resident Rick Meyers gave them the “go ahead”, their eyes brightened and filled with wonder. The hunt was underway! Fourteen young ladies from the summer program at Girls Inc. scattered throughout a garden in search of squash and cucumbers. They filled a basket with several varieties of the vegetables – smooth yellow large and small squash along with green pudgy squash, and long, curly, green cucumbers along with others of varying sizes, some of which felt s
To protect and to serve
Adam Stafford grew up in Shelbyville. Went to school at Shelbyville High School. Nearly dropped out midway through his senior year. The choice to finish high school and become the first in his family to do so altered his life forever. Now a veteran officer of the Shelbyville police department, Stafford spends countless hours devoting time to making his community better – some days just one kid at a time. Football is his passion and with a son still growing and getting stronge
Garcia selected as 'Groom of the Week'
Enrique Garcia, a caretaker for the Cipriano Contreras Stable at Indiana Grand, was selected as the recipient of “Groom of the Week." Garcia received $100 from Backstretch Supplies, the sponsor of the award during the month of July. Garcia has only been working with horses for two years. The Mexico native has traveled to several states so far perfecting his craft of caring for Thoroughbred racehorses with stops at Penn National in Pennsylvania and Oaklawn Park in Arkansas in
Toray Resin earns prestigious safety award
Rick Ruble tried to explain just want it meant to earn a Voluntary Protection Program Award. Ruble, the commissioner of the Indiana Department of Labor, came to Shelbyville to bestow the honor on Toray Resin Company, 821 W. Mausoleum Road. “How many people here call the Internal Revenue Service and ask them to come audit your taxes?” Ruble asked the gathering of staff, family and dignitaries in attendance. “How many people would call OSHA and say come inspect my workplace? Bu
Former exchange student brings host family to France
Doug and Sirina Cassidy hosted former French exchange student Wandrille “Vindy” Peltier 20 years ago, but for 10 days last month, Peltier hosted them. Peltier worked with the Cassidys’ two sons to surprise Doug and Sirina with plane tickets to visit him in France as a Christmas gift/birthday present for Sirina. They left on June 13 and returned on June 25. “My oldest son, Jeffery, had to go behind [Sirina’s] back to find out how many vacation days she had, and how many sick d
BRCF celebrates 2018 success
With the goal of providing a lasting impact on the quality of life around Shelby County, the Blue River Community Foundation had a busy year in 2018 while celebrating its 30th anniversary. The foundation completed four projects around the county that were tailored to that particular community’s need. And now, thanks to an announcement by the Lilly Endowment, the foundation looks to broaden its impact. Lilly is giving away $50,000 for local foundations to brainstorm their lead
Blue River grads change future with diplomas in hand
Rylee Essex had a rough go in pursuing her education . She attended a small school until seventh grade, at which point, her parents decided it was best for her to be home schooled due to health issues. She was accepted into an online school and started to excel in that environment, regaining her love of learning. So much so that she took extra courses that she didn’t need to. By the end of her eighth-grade year, her parents got divorced and she moved away. When school started
Vietnam vet from Shelby County living a charmed life
Hurshal Spurling has survived several perilous moments in his life. An Army medic combat, he came home safely from two tours in Vietnam – he even managed to escape the wrath of an angry cobra once. But the most dangerous moment in his life likely came as a Shelbyville teenager trying to deliver donuts in the winter on a rickety, old bicycle. “I used to deliver donuts early in the morning to all the taverns and restaurants with a bicycle that had a warped front wheel,” explain
