Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 258, Decatur, Adams County, 1 November 1963 — Page 9

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1963

Decatur Lady, At 92, Keeps Active, Busy

By Mike Thoele Although the lady was busy celebrating her ninety - second birthday she still had time to answer the door, show us* in, offer us cake and coffee, and tell us' about herself. But she added a note of warning when she began to narrate historical details. "I’m beginning to forget things lately,’’ , she said. “Guess I’m getting like some of these old people.” The warning proved

y • To The Voters of Decatur Your Vote will be L. J' '' really appreciated TUESDAY _ L NOV. sth • HONESTI • RELIABLE! • QUALIFIED! I - *<■ • COURTEOUS! k • EXPERIENCED! z B A John B. Stubs John B. Stulls Democratic Candidate for City Judge Pol. Advt.

Meet Your Candidates Meet and Discuss your City Problems with your . 7“ ~ ;■ - ... _ . -: T -—; Democratic City Candidates -"00 ®' al the Gerber's Super Market Parking Lot... Thirteenth St. TONIGHT 4 u 9 p.m. TOMORROW 9 a.m. >. 7 p.m. FREE FREE Served By Year Candidates Who Will Serve You 1 as well After The Eleclio n As They Will Before FREE Merry-Go-Round Rides HSI. Have a Good Time at a Democratic Party Carl^.g e rl er — MAYOR 2)r. R. £. _Att iion — Councilman Ist District Stults — CITY JUDGE dhafmer — Councilman 2nd District o * , ’ cJlaura — CLERK-TREASURER (1 lycle &t)ra.l?e — Councilman 3rd District - H ' . ~ R. : 1 • . • -T"" " r “ *"• 1 » ’ r '' ; * — Councilman-At-Largw J4aroU mffer 1 — Councilman 4th District CITY OF DECATUR DEMOCRAT COMMITTEE - 171 N. 2nd Street -* - ? •' *v. ' • " _” _ ■‘ r 1 .. ?" ..' . .

needless. She proceeded through a flawless and unhesitating presentation of the high points of her 92 years. The lady, who celebrated her birthclay last week, is Mrs. Margaret Wechter, 504 Winchester street an alert and Entertaining senior citizen who interests run the gamut from gardening to current events. A life-long Adams county resident, she was born October 24, 1871, on the

IB . I & HAPPY BIRTHDAY— Mrs. Margaret Wechter, 504 Winchester street, celebrated her ninety-second birthday with all the trimmings last week. She entertained several friends and visitors, who helped her eat her birthday cake.—(Photo by Mac Lean)

‘‘Thompson Prairie” in Monroe township, three and a half miles east of Berne. Went To Mattax School The mother of four children, the stepmother of two more and the foster mother of another, she can still recall going to school in the one-rbom, six-window Mattax school house which had mottos above each window encouraging the students to diligence, promptness and associated virtues. The school was located on Mud Pike. Mrs. Wechter went as far as the eighth grade, which was all the educational system of that day had to offer. “I was married and raising a family by the time there was a high school,” she reminisces. Mrs. Wechter’s father was Albert Newton Jack, a farmer of Scotch-English descent who resided most of his life in Adams

THE DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA

county. Her first husband, whom she married when she was 21, was Adolphus Macey, who already had two children by a previous marriage. They had four children, three sons and a daughter. Some time after riage they took in a homeless orphan girl. -- Mr. Macey died in 1936 and, a few years later, she married her daughter’s father-in-law, Mr. Wechter. They lived on a farm near Monore until his death in 1942. After his death Mrs. Wechter lived on a farm for awhile and later moved to Indianapolis to stay with her daughter. Comes To Decatur About eleven years ago, at the age of 80, she came to Decatur to care for an invalid lady. Besides caring for the woman’s needs, she found time to maintain a garden which encompass-

/* \ ■DBflr WMBv* Im u> £ r 4 i x mH Jh Mb * <1 J HAPPY GARDENER— Ninety-two year old Mrs. Margaret Wechter, surrounded by flowers which she raises in her garden, can still recall her school girl days in the old Mattax school house on Mud Pike. She has lived in Decatur for the past eleyen years. — (Photo by Mac Lean)

ed two lots and provided flowers and vegetables. She had to be in bed most of the time.” she said, “so I planted a flower garden outside her window where she could see it. She always liked that.” The woman died several years ago and left her house to Mrs. Wechter,.. where she now lives and continues her gardening activities. Mrs. Wechter’s memory stretches back to recall many interesting and amusing incidents during her 92-year life span. She can recall accurately many details about long-past events and can recount exactly the prices which she paid for goods many years ago. Well-Informed She keeps well-informed by nsteaing to the radio and is extremely aware of national and international events. She canJgr? longer read as she has developed cataracts in recent years, but she now obtains recordings of books through a state-sponsored service for the blind. “With those recordings.” she ■ says, “I have read 'novels and histories and have even gone hunting in Africa. I didn't like that too well, though.” Mrs. Wechter attributes her longevity to a lifetime of hard work. During her younger days she was a dressmaker and she often sewed until late at night after her family had gone to bed. White "slid was married to Mr. Macey they owned the Palace hotel and a general store 'in and she helped operate those establishments. Likes Gardening *• But gardening is her favorite .pastime. "When 1 touch the soil I feel closer to God," she said. "I always ask God to help my plants grow and nothing has ever failed me yet.” “I like to divide my plants and share them with my friends and neighbors,” she said. She is still an active gardner. During the growing season she gets up early each day to work with her flowers and vegetables. Wearing an old-fashioned sunbonnet which she says always arouses the curiosity of the neighborhood children, she gets most of her work done before the day gets too warm. She hoes and . weeds and does all the work necessary in caring for her plants. She carries a small aluminum stool with her when she is working and rests periodically when she becomes tired. She grows 13 hybrid varieties of roses, plus many other flowers. Her garden also includes cantaloupe, cucumbers, raspberries and strawberries. - . Entertains Visitors She has visitors frequently and enjoys entertaining them. She said that Rev.and Mrs. William Feller call on her frequently and help her with her banking affairs. Her neighbor; Mrs. Gwen Mies, read her marl and, until his recent transfer, mail carrier Jay Martin stopped in to see her each day. But she does all other work herself, including cooking, housework and laundry. Her large house is a model of neatness and vases of flowers are everywhere, She lives on the first floor and is able to go, up and down the basement stairs to do her laundry, despite the advice of her friends against it. Her son does her shopping for her and she cooks three meals a day. She usually goes to bed early and often gets up in the middle of the night to raid the refrigerator.

You Your Child And The School By DAVID NYDICK UPI Education Specialist Private schools have an important place in the American educational picture. They vary in purpose and approach ranging from the non - profit religious school to the profit making secretarial school. Why do private schools flourish when a free education is available through high school and in some places even through college? The answer is that they serve specific needs not always available in public schools. . “ Parochial schools combine, the normal educational pro- ' gram with religious Parents have sent their children to these schools for manyyears. The‘tuition costs are on a non - profit basis.. These schools probably account ■ for the <s largest number of private school students through the high school level. Problem Students At the elementary level, there are a variety of private schools which specialize in working with students who have problems. These schools might concentrate on physical, emotional or educational difficulties. They may be organized on either a profit or non-profit basis. In either case they usually charge a tuition fee. . ' , There are similar schools at the secondary level. At this level there are also schools socializing in vocational training such „as mechanics, business, dramatics, etc. Diplomas For Adults There are schools which offer adults an opportunity to obtain high school diplomas. Through “Y”s, churches, synagogues, clubs, etc. many types of courses are offered. These vary from recreational topics such as art and bridge to auto repairing and bookkeeping. At the college level, the private institutions are most important. The majority of wellknown universities and colleges are private non-profiUmrganiza-tions. Private ■ schools at all levels are certainly necessary. They serve to satisfy the special need of many individuals. In addition there are the private schools which cater to the individuals who wish to pay for the privilege of small classes and special attention. This includes the boarding as well as the military school. The quality of private schools varies as do public schools. If you feel the need to send your child to a private school, investigate very carefully before making a choice. Evaluate Public Schools Your first step should be to evaluate the local public, schools. Find out .what special services they offer to satisfy your needs. You will then have some standard with which to compare the private school. Check to see if the school Ir licensed by the state Department of Education. Ixxik into their program. See if it is designed to meet your special needs. A carefully planned curriculum is important. You might discuss it With the local public school principal, yoyr doctor, and your clergyman Evaluate the facilities and staff of the school. Small classes are always advantageous. A library, reference books, spe-

Giving To Churches Hits All - Time High

By ROBERT M. ANDREWS United Press International Members ,of Protestant churches in the United States . put a record $2,722,271,673 in the collection plate last year. .•In reporting this, the National Council of Churches attributed the all-time high in church giving to an increase in total Protestant membership. n' But, the council added, there was no corresponding increase in dollars contributed per member. so the average annual gift of the Protestant church-goer actually Was less than in 1961. He gave $66.85 for all church ' causes in 1962, a decline of 3.1 per cent from the previous year. Os the 42 churches, the smaller ones accounted generally for the biggest per-member gifts during the year. The major denominations were cofiventrated toward the bottom of the list. The 52,535-member, Free Methodist Church led with a whopping $312.58 average so r each follower. The even smaller Wesleyan Methodist Church was second with $246.40 per mem- • ber, and the" Evangelical Free Church of America followed with $222.49 per member. Among the bigger denominations, the United Presbyterian Church in the USA was 20th with SBB.OB per member, the Protestant Episcopal Church was 31st with $69.80 per member, the Methodist Church was 38th *558.53), the Southern Baptist Convention was 39th ($53.06) and the Lutheran Church in America was 40th ($49.46), Roman Catholic bishops from nine English-speaking nations are busy in Rome preparing a common English version of the Mass and , the Sacraments, The Second Vatican Council already has approved in principle the use of modern languages in these rites. Pope Paul VI must endorse the council's decision before it can go into effect. i The bishops. including two Americans (Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan of Atlanta, Ga., and cial equipment. and proper safety and health facilities are heeded. The staff should be ..properly trained, experienced and licensed. « '■ Lqok at all aspects of the private, school in relation to the public schools* Compare the offerings. Make sure to evaluate and balance the total picture before making your choice. The choice is a personal one but should be made with extreme caution.

As Democratic Candidate for City Council from the Second Councilmanic District. I hope that my qualifications will warrant your consideration. • Graduate of Decatur High School • 25 Years Business |H Experience. BfKk .SsHHEfe • Co owner of D & I |K.' Standard Service. fT '' r ’ • Trustee First Presbyter ian Church f# • President of City Plan ll Commission. 'V’BbMMjIIH • Member Chamber | I? War II Chalmer Deßolt YOUR VOTE AND SUPPORT WILL BE APPRECIATED. CHALMER DeBOLT o. Democratic Candidate for Councilman 2nd District Pol. Advt. Elect a Team Ji VOTE FOR ■ • > L> Harold B. Miller ' Democratic Candidate for JdLjHLw ABH Councilman 'J I Harold B. Miller • Honest • Courteous • Efficient Pol. Advt.

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Bishop James H. Griffiths of New York), are bringing in Biblical scholars, musicians and experts in English language style to help them translate the ancient Latin rites into their own tongue. More than 4,000 rabbis, laymen and visitors from synagogues in the United States, Canada and Latin America are expected to gather in Chicago tor the general assembly of the Union of American Hebrew Marking the 90th anniversary of reform Judaism in this country, the meeting is billed by its organizers as the largest Jewish convention in the nation. The 50th anniversary of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. the women’s branch of the movement, also will be celebrated. Tips On Caring For Fireplace In Home By DICK WEST — United Press International WASHINGTON (UPD —When i t e omes to good -old * Ant er i can know-how. the home heating industry is right up there with the best of them. The past few decades have produced truly marvelous improvements in home heating. Technological progress heaped on top of more technological progress., ; r Good. clean. cheap, _warm heat is now within the reach of virtually every American homeowner. You can have your heat coming from the ceilings, the floors, the walls or the baseboards. . You can heat with gas or oil ot electricity or coal or, as far ,as I know, corn "shucks. As a result of all this rapid advancement in the home heating field, more and more people are burning logs in fireplaces. Only an idiot would try to heat his home with a fireplace if any other means were available. But central heating systems have made it possible to view the fireplace as esthetic rather than utilitarian. What is more pleasant on a winterin' evening than a cheery blaze behind the hearth, the aroma„oL_hickory smokebillowi--ung~through the house, sparks burning holes in the carpet? Trudging out into the snow to bring .in more logs. Trudging out into the snow again to carry out the ashes. These are a few of my favorite things.