"I was a neighbor of Jane Pepper's and considered her a friend. I was absolutely devastated by her demise, as she was one of the most nurturing individuals I have come across in a long time. The reports said she was nearly 45; I had her pegged for mid-30s, maximum. She had the youthful exuberance and joie de vivre of one much younger than her age. She was a lovey in every respect. She loved her garden and produced masterworks in it, with both vegetables and flowers that blossomed under her care. She also loved her two kitties, Bear and Josie, the former of whom was not captured until two weeks after her death. The police were to do an extensive check to see if they picked up any evidence of value to the case. Upon release, one of Jane's other friends (unknown to me) agreed to take them, but I feel that they would have had a home at Wellington Square if that had not been the case.

Jane was a devout resident of Broad Ripple, checking out (and really liking) the Canal Bistro, among other establishments. I always appreciated her offer of rides home from Kroger in Broad Ripple, as I am a pedestrian and do not own a car. I cannot say we were intimate friends, but like all her neighbors at Wellington Square, I loved her as a wonderful, caring person."

-Margo Scheuring

"I just read your article from 11/16 - 11/29 regarding Jane Pepper and I very much appreciate you writing about my dear friend of 15 years. I noticed you inquired about her cats and please know both are doing well. Upon her parents request I agreed to care for them and Animal Control was able to catch them for me. I picked each up within 24 hours of being trapped and Josie and Bear have been happily living indoors since the beginning of November."

-Robin Davis

"I'm not sure where you got your information for the Whistle Stop article but here are some facts you need to correct it.

The Monon Broad Ripple Station was abandoned when my father and mother, David and Leonette Augustus, leased it from the railroad. The price per year was very minimal and his dream was to bring it back to its original state. He was a very well thought of builder. Crows Nest was one of many of his projects. He was also president of the Home Builder's Association.

After much research and time finding the original colors, etc., it was decided to open it as the Whistle Stop Sausage and Cheese Shop. It had a baggage cart and wooden bench with ads from the business of the late 1800s. The wallpaper inside was train schedules.

This was in the late 1950 or very early 60s. After my father died in 1966 my mother continued operating the shop. They were especially busy during the Memorial day weekend making hundreds of box lunches and at Christmas sending hundreds of gift boxes and catering parties. My mother then sold the shop to Judy Grady. We had the Whistle Shop prepare food for after my mother's funeral in 1998. Hope you can correct your article."

-Jayne Augustus Baggett

"The Whistle Stop opened in 1959 after my dad renovated it (probably through 1958) based on a lease with Monon. He gutted it and added custom railroad train schedule wallpaper made, and the interior was all done from research for that period, original hardwood floors, etc.

The Whistle Stop was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal for its uniqueness and a small family business being so successful. (For over six weeks, people stood in line on the weekends to get in and came from all over the state.) It was sold in 1977."

-John Augustus

"I manage one of the banks here on the strip. I also live on Kingsley in the Broad Ripple community. The reason for this [letter] is that I would like to expose a scam that I have seen floating around our streets.

The scam involves an entertainment system that is offered by two young people (usually guys) in an SUV. I have been 'propositioned' by these individuals twice in the past week here in my bank parking lot. Basically, they drive up to someone and ask if they want some free speaker that they 'just picked up.' (I know about this scam because one of my fraternity brothers at Purdue fell victim to it and lost 300 dollars of his money. Now, as a joke, the speakers get passed around from brother to brother as we get married. But I digress. . .

As the victim is enticed to get a brand new entertainment system for their home, the scammers say that they will move the entire package for [enter amount that scammers think they can draw from the victim here].

In my particular case, as soon as they asked me if I wanted the speakers, I asked if they were 'Dogg Digital' (the brand that my fraternity brother bought. . . Though it has no doubt changed since then) with a smirk. Both times, I was flipped the bird, cursed at and left in their dust. They knew I was privy to their little rip-off but they pulled away too quickly for me to write down the license plate number.

I just want to make my fellow community members aware so that they don't spend their hard-earned dollars on a shoddy home entertainment system. I didn't know how else to get the word out."

-Justin McKeand