Broad Ripple History Saturday was held on April 16, 2005, at the Whistle Stop Deli (901 E. 64th St.). The beautiful weather must have encouraged people to get out, because this time we were not the first to arrive. We had nine newcomers for a total of 21 people who came to share stories and pictures - a new record attendance.

Wally Scott brought several group pictures from School 80 and Broad Ripple High School. He also had a group shot of members of the F & AM lodge #643 from a fundraiser they held. The lodge members performed a minstrel show in early April, 1940, on the new stage at Broad Ripple High School.

Bob Frazier brought snap shots his daughter took around Broad Ripple in the 1970s. Do you remember the Village Leathersmith or the Dormouse? We will try to get scans of these photos to print in the Gazette.

Mary Frances (Fran) Kessler VanDerMeulen came with her daughter, Linda. Mrs. VanDerMeulen attended the Nora School and old School 80. At Broad Ripple High School she became best friends with Florence VanDerMeulen. Florence thought her brother Ralph would be a perfect match for Fran, so she introduced them. They were friendly for a long time and then in the spring of 1932, something clicked.

Before the spring of 1933 they wanted to marry, but knew it would jeopardize Fran's education. They decided not to wait, so they went to Franklin, Indiana, and were secretly married before Valentine's Day, 1933. In March, Principal K.V. Ammerman called Fran into his office and said he'd heard that she was married. As students weren't allowed to be married, he asked her to consider an annulment so she could finish school. He was disappointed when she declined, saying she had married forever. Fran and Ralph VanDerMeulen were married for nearly 69 years, and in 1997 Fran received an honorary diploma from Broad Ripple High School.

Morris Conly came for a visit wearing his BR letter sweater. He lived mainly in the 6100 block of Broadway when he was growing up. (6160 Broadway according to the 1930 census.) He said that the Moultons who lived at the end of the block had a couple of horses. (1930 census: 6107 Broadway) Mr. Moulton and his horses would plow gardens or dig basements and do other excavation work. When they returned home, Morris liked to go over and water the horses. Occasionally he would get up in the barn loft to retrieve hay to feed the horses.

George Kerr brought a Washington township constable badge that belonged to his grandfather, who held the position in 1891.

Our next Broad Ripple History Saturday will be May 21st from 8am to 10am at the Whistle Stop Deli. Bring your old photos and memories to share.