The Independent-News, Volume 112, Number 3, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 19 June 1986 — Page 2

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - JUNE 19, 1986

TEN DAY TRIP TO THE EAST ENJOYED Mr. and Mrs. John Cowger returned on June 3 from a 10-day trip out East. They visited with their son. David and family, in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. One day they went to Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, to "Buggy Days" where there were all kinds of horse drawn buggies and antiques of every kind. "What was this used for?" was a question we heard so often from someone in the crowd. We knew what most things were, but puzzled over a few items. We ate dinner in a restaurant that had been a com crib. We left for West Point, New York, on Tuesday morning, to visit with our nephew, Bill Kearney, who was to soon graduate from West Point. The families of the graduates gathered for a four-day celebration. The Cadets had paraded together for the last time on Monday and the Cadets paraded before the Senior Class on Tuesday while the families watched with pride. We were given a tour of the grounds and building by Bill’s brother. Patrick, who had graduated May 10 from Purdue. West Point is on a hill and you can look at the Hudson River and see large ships sailing by, quite a sight. General George Patton took five years to graduate, the excuse given was that he never could find the library to do his research. His statue now stands facing the library. Families were invited to a banquet and dance and we watched from the Hotel Thayer, where Bill’s parents and sister, Tom and Barbara Kearney and Peggy, of Wheatfield, Indiana, were staying. Women in beautiful dresses and many men in uniforms of all the services, leaving for the gala affair. Many of the officers come back this week each year to renew old acquaintences.

[ Walkerton American Legion Post 189 I Presents I DIRECT from the grand ole opry Wildwood Pickers — | " V A Five Girls Bluegrass Band | Along With I Nelson’s Port-A-Pit Barbecued Chicken j SATURDAY, JUNE 21 ♦ Chicken Barbecue Served From 11:00 a.m. Tq 7:00 p.m. BARBECUED CHICKEN - BAKED BEANS - COLE SLAW s • } Adults, $3.75 - Children, $2.50 HALF BARBECUED CHICKEN ONLY - $2.50 A 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. ;! | Dancing From 9:00 p.m. To 1:00 a.m. No Cover Charge

While General MacArthur was a cadet at West Point, his mother lived at the Hotel Thayer those four years. He had the highest grades of any cadet and the record still stands. The Cowgers, Patrick and another nephew. Don Duttlinger, who is home from working in Jakota and Singapore area for the past three years, were staying at a motel on Stewart Air Base. On Wednesday we drove to West Point and it was bumper to bumper traffic. We were directed through the grounds and finally reached our parking area. We waited an hour for a bus to take us bake up the hill to the stadium where the ceremonies were to be held. Cadets and their families were everywhere and the stadium was filling up. The graduating class of nearly 1,000 marched into the area on the football field. Casper Weinburger, Secretary of Defense, gave the address and Lt. General Willard W. Scott, Jr., Superintendent of West Point, also made some remarks. The new officers were told they had been taught to be leaders and now their test of that leadership would begin. A story was told about General MacArthur and Adm. Nimitz being in a small boat and it capsized and Nimitz yelled for help. MacArthur kept him afloat until they were rescued. Nimitz begged MacArthur not to tell his men that he couldn’t swim and MacArthur was rumored to reply, "I won’t tell your men if you don’t tell my men that I can’t walk on water’’. The speaker said that the men that served under MacArthur knew he could walk on water and that he did it everyday before breakfast. They also told of one cadet when ordered to jump into the swimming pool yelled, "Sirs, I can’t swim”. The answer was . . . "Well, son, walk on the bottom”.

After the diplomas were awarded, the new officers raised their swords and cheered. As the program neared the benediction, children from seven to 12 years of age, were allowed on the football field and when the new graduates threw their caps high into the air, any child could claim any cap he could retrieve. Bill went to change his uniform and we were to meet him on the parade grounds. His company and family were treated to food and drinks. We were all so thirsty from our hours in the sunshine. Roll call was read and as each new 2nd Lt. stepped forward, two people were to pin on his new bars. Bill’s parents did the honors. We so enjoyed the look that appeared on the faces of these new officers when other cadets would grin and then salute them. We left West Point byway of 9W, a scenic route along the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge. We then went to North Bergen, New Jersey, to see Bud and Donna Cowger, John’s brother. The next morning we went to our daughter’s, Judy, at Centerport, Long Island. She just lives 56 miles from Bud’s, but it took us two and a half hours. Traffic and road construction slowed everyone down. On Saturday we drove to Queens with Judy, Ed and Jason and a friend and took a subway train to the World’s Trade Building. We saw the Brooklyn Bridge and Pier 17, where you can buy anything even a vacuum cleaner for your typewriter. We left by subway back to near Radio City Music Hall and had dinner at Hurley’s Saloon and Restaurant. Johnnie Carson used to talk about Hurley’s when his TV program was in New York City. After dinner we went to the Ethel Barrymore Theatre where we saw Marlo Thomas on stage in "Social Security”. As we rode the subway

back to Queens, we all knew we had had a full and enjoyable day. We left knowing that in July that Judy and David’s families will be coming back to Walkerton for the Kearney family reunion. YOU AND YOUR PET DEAR DR. WISE: Our registered Golden Retriever, Meachan, is a dear member of our family. We were thrilled when we bred her to an equally aristocratic maie and she conceived. Because we wanted her pregnancy to be troublefree, we reduced her feed to avoid a weight gain so her delivery would go smoothly. As the weeks went by, Meachan seemed droppy and lacked energy. Imagine our shock when our local veterinarian said that we were starving her. Fortunately, there was time to increase her food intake and she had six healthy puppies. But I think other dog owners should know about our experience and benefit from it. ANSWER: You should feed an expectant female her usual diet, hopefully a well-balanced commercial dog food, during the first four weeks of pregnancy. She should be lean, her eyes bright and her coat shiny. Her protein requirements increase during the last weeks and her ration should be increased by half again. You were correct to think that a fat dog might have a difficult delivery but remember she must eat enough to nourish her unborn pups. She may eat less during the last 10 days of her pregnancy but the owner should let the pregnant female reduce the amount she eats. DEAR DR. WISE: We have an 18-year old Persian cat that has been a loyal, wonderful pet. Up until two weeks ago, she faithfully used her litter box which we keep

very clean but now she messes on our white dining room carpet. She is healthy and she runs and hides when we scold her. We are at wit’s end. Can you help? ANSWER: Your cat is elderly and her behavior may be the confusion of age. However, I would take her to a veterinarian to be sure she does not have a bladder or bowel infection. Some cats seem to forget their training because of jealousy, emotional insecurity, spite, frustration or revenge. Can you pinpoint any recent events that may have affected your cat? The odor of urine or feces in the carpet may attract a previously well-trained cat and cause it to continue using the same place for elimination. Try cleaning the soiled spots with perfumed or strongsmelling cleanser and then cover them with newspapers to see if you can break the habit. If you know the times she eliminates, carry her to the litter box and let her know you approve of her using it. (Provided as a public service by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association. If you have a question about your pet’s health, send it to Dr. John Wise, 1503 E. Riverside Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-2097.) 55 SAVES LIVES H