The Independent-News, Volume 113, Number 28, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 10 December 1987 — Page 4

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THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - DECEMBER 10, 1987

| EDITORIALS

SHE’S STILL THE BOSS! There used to be a commercial on television that used as a punch line, “You can’t fool Mother Nature’’. Whether or not you use an imitation or the real thing, this punch line carries more meaning that what you are putting on your bread. This is the time of the year when Mother Nature can deal a sudden, harsh blow with her weather. It is true we have been locked in an overcast, cloudy period for more than two weeks with only an occasional glimpse of the sun, the temperatures haven’t varied greatly, or has the weather been very pleasant, but still that change that can comes so suddenly, still can. This was true Monday as an early morning trip to the east didn’t take us very far to see completely different conditions. Between U. S. 31 and Bremen, despite rainy weather and middle 30 temperatures at home, we ran into snow covered ground and some very icy conditions the further we traveled east. In fact, between Bremen and Nappanee, conditions were such that state trucks were out in force spreading salt and sand due to the ice. These conditions were in no way evident just a few miles before. Capping this off, we came upon a head-on crash on Indiana 15 that took the life of a Warsaw man. The accident, due to driving too fast for the icy conditions, possibly was caused because a driver drove into changing conditions in a few miles. There is little worse than the first experience each year with icy road conditions. Despite years of experience before, that first time can be a real eye opener. Mother Nature can throw a curve at us with very little notice, and we must be ready to adapt to her moods. There can be nothing more devastating than a tragedy such as an auto accident or fire that claims a life as we approach the holiday season. As times and conditions change, we must change with them. Too much caution cannot be shown in cases of questionable situations due to changes in the weather or other uncontrollable situations. It is true, you can’t fool Mother Nature. As a postscript to this, it was noted that the man who was killed in the two-car head-on accident was not wearing a seat belt and the driver of the other car was . . . and was treated at an area hospital and released! Seat belts do save lives’

F^'remembebJ^W IcW WHEN...

1982 Todd Millar, a senior at John Glenn High School, has been named the school's top Centun 111 Leader according to Dr. Rodger E. Smith, principal. The 17-year old student is now eligible to compete with other local winners from around the state for one of two $1,500 scholarships and an allexpense paid trip to the national ( enturv 111 Leaders Conference, slated for March in C olonial Williamsburg. Virginia. The G.F W.C Women’s Com munitv Club will hold their annual Chnstn as buffet Fridas. December 10 at 12 30 p.m. at the Evening Star Ri -kah Lodg< . Roosevelt Road. X ven generous $298 8" was colectt J last Saturd.o . tht first dav of tht Salvation Vn v Kettlv Drive in Walkerton, for the use bv the k\al committee in and around Walkerton. This is the sole source of in < ome for the local committee’s work, most of which is used at Christmastime, but also throughout the year if the need be and the resources are available. Your generositv makes it all possible. 1972 The Walkerton C hamber of Commerce is once again sponsoring a Christmas decoration contest. Judging will be held on December 22 - 24 from the many beautifully decorated homes in and around Walkerton. First place winners will receive SIO.OO cash and second place winners $5.00 cash. A nativity scene using people and live animals will be presented nightly, December 17-24 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Beaver Creek Wesleyan Church, two miles east of North Liberty on State Highway 4. The Letterman’s Club is a newly formed organization at John Glenn High School and the sponsor is

Bob Wieczork. assistant basketball coach and varsity golf coach. Officers are John Verkier, president; Fred Casteel, vice-president; Carl Williams, secretary; and Jeff Jacob. treasurer. At the market smoked hams were selling for 09 cents a pound; a five pound canned ham at $4.89; pork tenderettes. "’9 cents a pound; pork roast at "9 cents a pound: bulk sausage at 49 cents a pound; bulk lb ounce bottles of Pepsi-Cola for bo cents; a gallon of one percent milk for "3 cents; a half gallon of ice cream at 89 cents; two pound .an of Folgers coffee for SI 49; celery at 28 cents a stalk; six (’ranges for 88 cents; broccoli at 38 cents a bunch; and tangerines or tangeloes at 48 vents a dozen. 1952 Xrrangements have been made for the annual Community Christmas Party to be held in the high school gymnasium on Thursday. December 11. for the children of the town and countryside, following the Chamber of Commerce dinner meeting. This year as last, the party is sponsored by seven local clubs and organizations, namely the Chamber. American Legion. Lions Club, Business and Professional Women’s Club. Legion Auxiliary, Walkerton Community Club and Walkerton Civic Club. The Huffstetter Restaurant, which has been operated by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Huffstetter for the past five years, has been purchased by Don Aldrich and Dick Adams and will be operated under the name of Double “A” Restaurant. The Hamlet State Bank is holding their formal dedication of the recently completed new banking quarters on Wednesday, December 10. 1942

Registration of 18 and 19 year old male citizens who have not previously registered for selective service will take place during December. Under a proclamation issued by President Roosevelt, the registration will be extended over a period of 20 days. Due to the gasoline rationing, it has become necessary for the State Fire Marshall to take drastic steps toward eliminating excessive storage of gasoline in barrels, drums, containers, etc., around homes and garages. It is unlawful to store gas in a frame building, basement, glass container, etc. 1937 Dr. Burton L. Furst, of Michigan City, practicing dentist in LaPorte, has rented one of the Henderson apartments on 6th street, Walkerton, and is moving his office equipment here this week. For a limited time only, new subscriptions for the Walkerton Independent or the North Liberty News can be had, 9 months for SI.OO or $5 months for $1.50. Just send check, money order, or a dollar bill, giving your name and address and the paper will start at once. “If you are going to attend the donkey basketball game to be played at the Walkerton school gymnasium next Monday night, December 13, you can start limbering up your laughter right now,” says Faunt Leßoy, local manager of the two teams which will compete for honors. The donkey game will be played between the Walkerton High School faculty and the American Legion. Proceeds from the game go the toy repair fund of the Legion. The annual election of directors for the Walkerton Chamber of Commerce for the year 1938 will be held at the December meeting tonight at the Shirley Case. Rev. Garth Salmon, pastor of the local Presbyterian Church, will be the speaker for the evening, using as his topic. “Why I Believe In Santa Caus". VOICE OF THE PEOPLE Dear Mrs. Sheneman In regards to your society section in the Independent-News last week, you stated that there were no other restaurants in town since Mr. 1 s closed up. What about us here at the Pit Stop Diner. Lane’s One Stop or the Drug Store? These places all serve food and have friendly atmospheres. Just because we aren’t big or right in town doesn’t mean we don’t exist. AllOf Us At The Pit Stop Diner PLAN ON BEING AWAY OXER THE HOLIDAYS TAKE PRECAUTIONS If you plan to be awav from vour home during the holidays, several precautions should be taken so vour home does not appeal inviting to potential burglars. Attorney General Linlev Pearson sav s homeowners can minimize their risks — and worries by taking a few simple steps before going on vacation. “It’s always important to be cautious when leaving on a vacation. particularly during the holidays." Pearson says. “In addition to items which are usually taken in burglaries, such as televisions, stereos, microovens and jewelry , burglars working the holiday circuit can put a damper on Christmas if gifts bought before the Christmas rush are taken." Pearson says items such as expensive jewelry should be left in a security box in a bank, or in a locked box homeowners can keep well hidden in their homes. Christmas gifts, for example, should be hidden in the back of a closet and not left in boxes or shopping bags, according to Pearson. “Gifts and other valuables

should be moved away from windows to a place where they cannot be seen by someone gazing in the window,” Pearson says. Homeowners should notify a trustworthy neighbor of any vacation and ask the neighbor to watch the house. “It is difficult to make an empty house look lived-in. but with careful planning and help from a neighbor the tast can be accomplished.“ Pearson added. Before going on vacation, stop delivery of newspapers. If you can arrange to pick up mail at the post office when you return, do so. If not, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail each day you are away. “Many times when people go on vacation, they close every blind and curtain,” Pearson says. “This advertises the fact that the house is empty, and lets potential thieves know your home would be easily burglarized." Instead of closing all curtains, leave a few open. If possible, purchase a timer which will automatically turn off and on lights throughout your house. If you decide to buy timers for your inside lights, set them in a manner allowing lights to be turned on and off at different times. Living room lights for example, could be turned on at dusk and left on most of the evening. Set the timers so bedroom lights are on at different times through the early and late evening. In case of heavy snows while you are away, arrange for snow removal with a neighborhood youngster. Driveways piled high with snow are another indication of an empty home. Pearson says many local law enforcement agencies offer "housewatch" services in which police periodically check on the homes of vacationing Hoosiers. Homeowners should notify police several days in advance of their vacation. The law enforcement agency should also be notified of the length of the vacation, and should be given a telephone number where the homeowner can be reached in case of an emergency. If freezing temperatures are predicted while you are away, leave open cabinet doors which conceal water pipes. If possible, leave a trickle of water running. And. before leaving, check all doors and windows in the home to make certain they are locked. “Many burglaries are committed in the summer months, but don’t kid yourself into thinking your home will be safe from burglars because it is winter,’’ Pearson says. “lake the time to make certain your home does not look empty, and have a great worry -free holidav season". Pearson concludes Your Hoosier Doctor Says . . . Christmas J rec Safetv Ihe decorated C hristmas tree is a long-standing, well loved, and often breathtaking symbol of the Christmas season, but C hnstmas trees also have been the cause > t scores of house fires and deaths Use Christmas trees with great caution, even the artifical. flame resistant ones. The Indiana State Medical Association urges vou to conside the following safetv tips •his year when buying and decorating your Christmas tree. A dry tree can blaze to its maximum heat before any effort can be made to combat it. so start by looking for a fresh tree which is less flammable. Pick a green tree whose needles are hard to pull from the branches. The branches when bent should spring back instead of being brittle. If the trunk butt of the tree is sticky with resin, that is another good sign that the tree is fresh and retains some moisture. To keep your tree moist, keep it in water until you throw it out. You should saw 2 inches from the trunk, cutting diagonally from the butt. Check the water level daily.

Trees absorb a large amount of water indoors. Be sure to mount th” t»-ee firmly, attaching guy wires to the w alls and ceiling if the tree is very large. The tree should sit out of the way of traffic and away from fireplaces, radiators and heaters which will dry the tree out more quickly. Use only flame-resistant or incombustible materials when trimming the tree. Avoid trimmings that are small enough to be swallowed or inhaled by children, and trimmings with small removable parts. At least hang them way out of the reach of children. Don’t trim the tree with decorations that are breakable or that resemble candy or food, and don’t use poisonous berries or plants, either. Use only lights with the UL Label from Underwriters Laboratories. Electric shock is a major hazard of the Christmas season, so avoid any strings of lights that appear to be cheaply constructed, badly insulated, or have flammable plastic parts. You should use no more than three strings of lights per extension cord and turn off and unplug all the lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights have been known to short and start a fire. If you have a metallic tree, use a floodlight rather than electric lights. If the lights short out, a person could be electrocuted by simply touching a branch of the tree. These few precautions can preserve the beauty of your tree and prevent a tragedy from marring a beautiful and joyful Christmas season. WEST GERMAN STUDENT SPEAKS OUT ABOUT ANCILLA COLLEGE Gerlinde Klaes, of West Germany, is a student at Ancilla College and what does she like about the college? “The special atmosphere at Ancilla; the students and faculty all being so nice and supportive. They try to find a solution every time I come up with a problem." Before Gerlinde arrived at Ancilla. she had visited seven states; since then she has been to Niagara Falls and Toronto, Canada. At the end of this term, shortly before Christmas, she will be in either Richmond, Virginia, or Williamsburg. to celebrate that special holiday Then it’s some months working with an American company to learn different methods to take back home with her Gerlinde hopes this place ot work will be an insurance companv in Indianapolis It was with an insurance companv that Gerlinde was apprenticed in G< rn anv after her secondarv cd i,. i ’n. For two and a half '• ri - she continued studying, at- ' !.:-e a professional school twice . week and working the other three os tor Victoria. Germane s fourth . st insurance companv After th ’se years ot apprenticeship, Gern continued for two and a half r ore years with that companv. hiring her work hours. Gerlinde dealt not with customers, but with 1 rokers and insurance agents. Gerlinde says that from the fifth grade on, English was a part of her education, even while she was taking business courses in her apprenticeship. Then it was Business English. When she returns to Germany, she will take an exam, oral and written, in this type of English. Gerlinde came to the States through the Congress-Bundestag Program sponsored by the CDS Duisberg Society for young professionals. The organization is interested in developing cultural relations between Germany and the United States. Gerlinde is enjoying her time here in the Statess and is "happy that I have the opportunity to learn something about American and its people. And," she add, "they are learning about me and 1 am also learning more about myself!”