Banner Graphic, Volume 10, Number 204, Greencastle, Putnam County, 1 May 1980 — Page 1

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Wednesday, Although cool and overcast, was still a good day to get some exercise as 47 local joggers turned out for the Run, Walk, Jog for the Heart fundraiser on the DePauw campus. The runners journeyed a 1.35-mile course which extended south on Locust to Berry streets,

Write on: Author and DPU alumnus

Young people today like a "wellcrafted” story that doesn’t wander on for 300 pages. They like strongly visualized scenes, frequent breaks and crisp dialogue absent of “you knows” every young person tends to add to the end of every sentence. This advice to teachers and parents comes from Richard Peck, the author of nine novels and several anthologies of writing for adolescent and pre-adolescent readers. “WRITING FOR a readership who remembers no other decade but this one keeps your ear to the ground,” says Peck in the latest issue of his alma mater’s magazine, the DePauw University Alumnus. “And if you’re a former teacher, and

Kindergarten grows up at South Putnam

By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor So what’s so great about kindergarten? A lot, according to two South Putnam Corporation elementary principals. Previously, parents thought of kindergarten as more of a “babysitting” situation Reelsville Principal Carl Foreman and Belle Union Principal Don Stinson said. But the whore concept of the program has grown up. “SOUTH PUTNAM WAS one of the first corporations to have kindergarten and Reelsville was one of the first in the county to have a testing program for kindergarten,” Foreman added. The maturing of the kindergarten programs has also caused a different attitude among parents. . “Some parents used to feel it wasn’t necessary and they didn’t send their child to kindergarten,” Foreman said. “But you can tell a difference between the child that starts the first grade and hasn’t had kin-

Walk on the mild side Clear, with low in the mid 40s. Mostly sunny and mild Friday. High in the upper 60s to low 70s. Indiana Extended Weather Fair and mild Saturday through Monday. Highs between 65 and 75. Lows between 45 and 55. Index Abby A 4 Bridge B 4 Calendar A 4 Classified 84.85 Comics A 6 Crossword B 4 Editorials A 7 Heloise A 4 Horoscope B 5 Letters A 7 Obituaries A 8 Sports 81,82,83 Theatres A 8 Worry Clinic B 4

Banner Graphic Putnam County, Thursday, May 1, 1980, Vol. 10 No. 204 20 Cents

fugitive from the 1950’s youth culture, you’re sobered to learn that you’re writing to a generation who knows no history, geography, or foreign language. Our novels can’t compensate for this collapse of learning, but we find from our readers’ letters that we’re the only people in many lives who can teach the fine art of reading a book all the way through for pleasure. And vocabulary . ” While adults seem to prefer books about sexual, social and psychiatric problems, youth respond best to books about friendship, about surviving the youth culture, about idealized family life. BOOKS FOR THK YOUNG need to be better than books for their elders, Peck argues. They can’t be pornographic

dergarten to one who has attended. “THEY SEEM MORE mature,” the Reelsville principal explained. “They can interact socially with the other children and know how to do simple tasks to take care of themselves. They do more things as a group.” Is working with a child before they even enter a classroom really beneficial? Stinson believes this type of interaction between the parent and child is necessary. “I personally feel working with a child is important. “JUST BEING WITH kids is important,” he added. “Activities like camping, reading or fishing can provide a learning experience. When you’re going for a walk, talk about the different kinds of flowers or the different kinds of trees. These types of things give the child security.” Foreman agreed these types of parentchild activities are helpful. “Parents should take time for their child rather than

Month honors older Americans

Bv AGNES KING Banner-Graphic Staff Writer The month of May has locally and nationally been designated Older Americans month. During this month special attention will be given to the older Americans who are still actively contributing their time, experience and talents to their communities. The Senior Center and RSVP, located at 9 W. Franklin St., Greencastle, have planned several special events during the month to emphasize the importance of such a significant and productive segment of society. DURING MAY, POSTERS will be distributed throughout the county with photographs of many of the RSVP volunteers in action. The posters will serve a dual purpose of recognizing contributing volunteers and local services offered by RSVP in our community. Also slated for 2 p.m Saturday, May 10 at the Senior Center is the annual Senior Queen Contest. RSVP has elected Verna Turner as their queen candidate who will compete against other Putnam County candidates on Saturday. The winner of the

then east to College and back west on Seminary to Locust again. Final figures aren't available yet, but proceeds from the event will benefit the Heart Association. (Banner-Graphic photo by G. Patrick Grimes).

because the young are strangely prudish about other people’s private lives. “It’s to be remembered,” said Peck who also writes for Time/Life Film and CBSTV, “that ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and ‘The Waltons,’ those saccharin fantasies that make actual families look so bad by contrast, are far more popular than any book.” Peck points out that TV, the only common cultural experience of young and old, is now beginning “to acquire our books for primetime.” TIIK PRKSKNT YOUTH scene. Peck believes, is a “featureless wasteland. They (youth) live in a world that has adjusted to the unsolved problems of the ’6o’s. Instead of solving the crime, discipline and

turning them over to someone else. Take them places when you go places.” Whether a parent decides to enter their child into kindergarten or not, each principal noted the children must be tested before being admitted to school. THESE TESTS ARE part of the recent kindergarten orientation programs scheduled recently at each of the county elementary schools. Reelsville kindergarten teacher Mrs. Becky Davidson said testing procedures help to determine a child’s “readiness” to attend school. “So many children aren’t ready for kindergarten,” Mrs. Davidson disclosed. “I would hate for a child to experience failure in school just because he is not really mature enough socially or academically.” MRS. DAVIDSON ADDED that “a lot of learning” takes place for those children in kindergarten and these students are better prepared for the beginning grades. Stinson was quick to point out how

local contest will then represent Putnam County at the regional contest. A state speaker on “Defensive Driving” has been slated for 10:30 a m. May 13 at the Senior Center and every Wednesday evening (6-10 p.m.) during the month a special CPR class will be offered by the Putnam County Heart Association. The CPR classes will be open to the public, as well as, senior citizens and could provide valuable instruction that might save a life. ON THURSDAY, MAY 15 at 1 p.m. Dr Thomas Larsen, associate professor of sociology at DePauw University, will be the guest speaker on WJNZ radio discussing the significance of maintaining the dignity of older Americans. Dr. Larsen, a specialist in the area of aging, will invite questions and comments from the audience. Other regularly scheduled activities at the Senior Center during May will be a trip to Raccoon and the Wilson Brothers Greenhouse at 1 p.m. May 6. Antique Day is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.. May 20, focusing on antique quilts A pot luck supper is set for 6 p.m. May 29 with a Senior Gong Show for entertainment. Friday,

City housing authority in Greencastle's future?

By G. PATRICK GRIMES Banner-Graphic Staff Writer After a special meeting Wednesday with a West Central Indiana Economic Development District (WCIEDD) representative, Mayor Jane Harlan said she sees a city housing authority in Greencastle’s future. The City Council Wednesday conducted a special hearing dealing with the reapplication for HUD Block Grant funds to spruce up the “Greater East Side,” or Commercial Place area The city was named a “conditional invitee” by HUD, which means that there still is a chance funds could be granted. KAY HINDS OF WCIEDD stressed that because the preapplication had no request for housing rehabilitation funds it was given a low-priority rating. A low-income “housing assistance,” plan would be a good addition to the final application which will be submitted soon, she added. Mayor Harlan and several Council members explained that the general consensus at past meetings was against federal housing funds. “It’s like an invasion of privacy, really,” the mayor said, “We can’t go in there and tell those people how to live.”

subscribes to reading and writing theories

academic problems that arose in the schools of the Ws, parents have withdrawn to the suburbs or sent their children to private schools, where familiar problems follow. “The drug traffic continues unabated, joined by that earlier worry, teenage alcoholism. To accommodate the reluctant learner, schools lower their standards and colleges their entrance requirements. “Into this vacuum the writer to the young sends books,” observes Peck. There are some advantages, however. “LITERATE YOUNG PEOPLE are bored by classrooms creeping at the rate of the most recalcitrant. They have more time on their hands than we did, time that many spend reading. And they’re looking

“ready” a child is for school actually depends on the individual child. “If a parent can provide a good enough learning experience for the child, it may not be necessary for them to attend.” But that does not mean the Belle Union principal does not support the kindergarten concept. “I personally feel like the parent is doing their child a great benefit. They have the jump as far as readiness skills and social development for first grade level. There is also a 90 per cent chance the student will have to repeat first grade if they do not take part in kindergarten.” “IT’S THE CHILD WHO is below average in school who suffers the most,” Foreman said. “The child who achieves will be behind at first, but he will be able to catch up.” “It used to be that schools felt that age 5 was a magic number,” Stinson commented. “Now we find we really can’t Col. 5, back page, this section

May 30 will be an Area 7 Fun Day in Seelyville with the bus leaving the Senior Centerat 10:30a.m. “It is our purpose especially during the month of May to offer a variety of informative and enjoyable activities at the Center for our older Americans,” RSVP Director Harlene Swanson commented. “Also hopefully through an awareness this month county and local residents will become more informed about the services that our volunteer program is offering in our county and nationwide. ” JACKIE CAMPBELL, director of the Senior Center, also emphasized, “During the month of May or anytime we would like people to stop by our Center and enjoy some of the activities we have offered. “The Senior Queen contest is usually a pretty special event for us and truly we’d love to have a good turnout from the community. Also the CPR classes will be conveniently located for the community to attend and we’d like to encourage additional participation in this area. We are open and our programs are going strong, thanks to the many older Americans who are very active in our community."

Rides sought to Indianapolis Drivers are desperately needed to drive county cancer patients to Indianapolis for treatment and back to the Greencastle area, according to John McCort, publicity chairman of the Putnam County Cancer Society. A slight reimbursement is provided for drivers by the local organization on gas mileage. Interested persons able to volunteer their time are asked to contact McCort at 653-4021.

Hinds explained that the housing assistance plan is only a statement from the city agreeing that if a contractor desired to construct low-income housing, the city would help in good faith with the project. “THAT MIGHT BE JUST referring him to West Central and letting us talk to him, ” Hinds said. She did explain that the city, in her opinion, needs a housing authority. “Yes, you definitely have housing needs

in books for advance far from the standardized testing of the guidance counselor. “In the 1960’s it was the young who com posed a lost generation. Today, it’s the parents,” Peck says. Peck is pleased that teachers and librarians are beginning to bring authors together with students to discuss “where books come from. This is a distinct improvement over the earlier years when all the authors in the high school literature anthology were dead! "IT*S A PITY THAT parents’ groups aren’t as receptive. Some parents worry that their children aren’t reading. Some worry about what they are reading. Many have spent all their energies providing a

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Pat Steagall, Bainbridge, wheels to the counter as the winner of the Sigma Chi Shopping Spree. Mrs. Steagall was entitled to three minutes of free shopping at the fraternity's expense with the remaining money collected from ticket sales going to the Wallace

which should be addressed,” she said after being asked by City Councilman John Stevens if she recommends a housing authority. Hinds also explained that HUD has trimmed the Greencastle preapplication by several thousand dollars She read a list of the items which the city had hoped to correct in the Commercial Place area, and commented that because of the cuts by HUD and inflation, it will be difficult to complete the entire project as planned. HUD CUT THE BUDGET for the project (previously almost $500,000) by some $43,900, slicing the contingencies portion by SIO,OOO, engineering fees also by SIO,OOO, street-widening funds by S4OO, and money for curbs and gutters by $23,500. The plans were to include the addition of 13,500 feet of curbs and gutters for the area, but because of the cuts, Hinds seems doubtful that much can be included. The City Council will conduct one more public hearing at the May 13 regular council meeting, on the block grant proposal before taking any action. WEDNESDAY’S MEETING also featured discussion about the proposed transportation study, with Councilman Col. 5, back page, this section

good home life for teenagers who are rarely at home.” Peck proposes seven “do’s” and seven “don’ts” for parents who are concerned about their children’s reading and writing: * DON’TS 1. Never say to yourself or to others: “My child isn’t into reading, but he has so many other interests.” Why? Because your child won’t get far with those other interests as a functional illiterate. There’s a literature for every field: scientific, artistic, athletic, vocational, professional, parental. Successful people in those fields must have access to it. 2. Never imply by word or attitude that reading and writing (including letCol. 5, back page, this section

Village for Children in Broomfield, Colo. Mrs. Steagall grossed $366.11 of groceries in the three minutes at Kroger as members of the local fraternity followed her progress (Banner-Graphic photo by Agnes King).