The Independent-News, Volume 116, Number 31, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 27 December 1990 — Page 4

- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - DECEMBER 27. 1990

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I EDITORIALS I L - ~ - .1

. ■■■•■•■■ ■■ r. 1990 TEACHES A LESSON Usually there can be found something good and maybe something bad about almost everything. The year 1990 was no exception to this personally. Years come and go and for the most part are reflected in memory only if some outstanding events take place. 1990 was a different year for us, but one that also taught a lot of lessons. The year 1990 will be remembered by yours truly for a year of conflict between man and outside elements. Being diagnosed in December of 1989 as having a malignant tumor, the year of 1990 was to be the time for the battle against the dreaded disease. And this is where the majority of the teaching came from. Going through a year that started after several tests determined what could be allowed for treatment, chemotherapy was the first major hurdle. Also having nephrostomy tubes inserted in December, these were to remain until the whole thing hopefully ended in mid-November when major surgery finished the hard-fought battle with hopefully successful results in this battle. Several things were realized. First, one had to learn the importance of good health. Despite the almost miracle advances in medicine over the years, nothing can replace good health that keeps these modern day techniques and procedures on hold. There just is no substitute for good health. Second, the importance of insurance. The procedures and treatments endured this past year would have completely wiped out everything had it not been for an insurance program that stepped in and took care of things. For many years, and especially recently, one continued to pay and pay and pay the premiums which have skyrocketed in recent years. And yet, when all is said and done, if you have need of it, you truly find it is something you cannot afford to be without. It is almost a must in this present day with medical and health care costs what they are today. Also, patience. It just doesn’t do any good to get in a hurry when going through such as this. There can seem to be no more wasted time than setting in a waiting room of a doctor’s office, hospital, or almost anywhere, but still one must learn to live with these delays. There is no hurrying treatments and recovery periods. These things will come and go as they will. The learning to live with such waiting and delays isn’t really that hard when it is all put into prospective. If it is necessary, it is well worth the inconvenience. Another lesson learned has to be faith. One has to have faith in whatever path must be followed. In a religious sense as well as a material sense, you must have faith and trust in those that make the decisions and also take care of the treatments you need. Without faith in these sources, one would have nothing to look forward to in a time such as this. Another lesson that at least is refreshed in your mind is the family and their support and love in a time such as this. One would have a very hard time undertaking such a battle on their own. The reassurance and help family members give cannot be replaced by anything. In more ways than one could mention, family members do the job in situations such as this, whether it be through actual acts or just faith and prayers. It means so much in trying to win this battle. And of course there are those who have taken care of you from the doctors and specialists right on down through the nurses and all the employees of the medical field that help you

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in your battle. Their intersest and performances can never be replaced. And last but not least, one has to learn the true meaning of friendship. There is nothing like friends, the support they give in many ways and the interest they have in your problems. If it were not for friends assisting in many ways, the battle would be so much more severe that it might not seem worth winning. We have had so many favors, acts of assistance, kindnesses, well-wishes, cards and letters and donations of food that one could never begin to mention them all. From the pies baked by Wanda to the trips to South Bend by Dick and Dorrie Cline, one has so many favors to remember that it would be impossible to name them all. The year 1990 was a hard teacher. However, the lessons learned will never be forgotten as we continue along the way and hope that not only the lessons learned, but the battle fought was successful in this personal case and for the many others who suffer similar circumstances. We hope you all have a good and happy 1991 and that such battles as this do not have to be fought by you. But in any event, the lessons learned by the hard year of 1990 will never be forgotten in this particular instance.

Walkerton Legion Gives Christmas Cheer Christmas cheer was given to several local families when Orville Easterday Post and Unit 189, The American Legion and Auxiliary, distributed thirteen food and three fruit baskets in the area. Meat, milk, eggs, canned goods, and many more items were generously placed in the boxes and delivered by the veteran members. Remembered also were the veterans in the local nursing home with more personal items. The organizations wish the citizens of the area, the very best for the coming year. JOHN GLENN SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Board of School Trustees of the John Glenn School Corporation met in regular session on Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the North Liberty Elementary School library. Board members present included President Nilas Miller, Mary Kay Stedman, Gene Knowlton, Jean Ann Beem and Dave Hostetler. Don Ludwig and Dan Patrick were absent. The Board and 18 observers opened the meeting with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Jean Ann Beem and seconded by Mary Kay Stedman to approve the minutes of the regular and executive sessions of Nov. 27. The vote was five to zero. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS A motion was made by Gene Knowlton and seconded by Mary Kay Stedman to approve claims numbered 2,087 through 2,158. Following discussion, the motion was approved with a vote of five to zero. PATRON RESPONSE 1. Janet Houser Lori Jacob, on behalf of Janet Houser and a concerned citizens group for student recognition, presented a summary of survey findings. Mrs. Jacob noted that there were concerns by parents and students at John Glenn High School in terms of the current Honor Roll system. Mrs. Jacob made a recommendation to the Board that a Task Force be formed within the Corporation to include parents and possibly students to look into the present Honor Roll system. The Board noted Mrs. Jacob’s report and thanked her for the concern. Dr. Murray stated that the Board, along with Dr. Murray and personnel, would be receptive of implementing such a committee. RECOGNITIONS 1. Building Principals Marilyn Lightfoot, Walkerton Elementary School, recognized the

Secret Santa Workshop that the kindergarten through third grade students are conducting with the local nursing home. Mrs. Lightfoot also noted that the Walkerton Elementary School is open for those persons needing walking time such as those participating in rehabilitation programs following heart surgeries and heart attacks. Mike Shuler, high school principal, recognized John Thomas, art teacher at the high school, for receiving a fellowship to attend a summer art institute in New York City. Dick Reese recognized the Urey Middle School PT A for sponsoring a middle school dance. Mr. Kaufman, North Liberty Elementary School, recognized the parent support group for sponsoring the roller skating activity and also reported that the Gesell Institute had approved and would be conducting an in-service program for North Liberty teachers and surrounding corporations during the week of June 10-14, 1991. Mr. Kaufman noted that the Gesell Institute trains teachers in the areas of developmental screening for kindergarten age students. In addition, Mr. Kaufman noted that the June workshop would also include a two day training on establishing curriculum as based upon developmental theories. NEW BUSINESS 1. Personnel Report a. John Glenn High School 1. Resignation — Girls varsity tennis coach, Mark Debuque A motion was made by Jean Ann Beem and seconded by Mary Kay Stedman to accept the resignation of Mark Debuque as the girls varsity tennis coach. 2. Designation of Public Depositories Dr. Murray noted that by statute action would be taken in February to designate public depositories for the Corporation based on information received from the respective financial institutions in the area. Dr. Murray requested that the Board authorize her to begin that process for the 1991 school year. The Board authorized such action to begin. 3. Radios for Administrators Dr. Murray reported that during emergencies such as tornados, fire drills and bad weather that it is difficult, if not impossible, to speak with building principals. Dr. Murray noted that at times it is necessary for her to talk to all principals such as during the fall tornado warning. She noted that during drill procedures, principals are with students in the designated safety areas which takes the principals away from the base radio locations. Dr. Murray noted that in the case of power outages, these hand held battery operated units would, in fact, be usable while base units would be out of use. Dr. Murray presented an estimate from a local company where the Corporation purchased currently owned operating radios. The Board requested that Dr. Murray pursue this and seek other bids to make certain the prices were adequate.

Dr. Murray said she would have that information available as soon as possible. 4. Superintendent’s Report a. Feasibility Study There were no updates to the Feasibility Study. 5. Conference Report 6. Donation of Cases for Musical Instruments Dr. Murray reported that she had received a note from Dan Fortlander, Band Director at John Glenn High School, and Mike Shuler, Principal, that Mrs. Diane Lawson from Derby, Inc. wished to donate 48 instrument cases for musical instruments to the John Glenn School. Dr. Murray stated that it would be appropriate for the Board to take action to accept this donation. A motion was made by Mary Kay Stedman and seconded by Gene Knowlton to accept the 48 musical instrument cases from Derby, Inc. The vote was five to zero. NEXT MEETING DATE President Nilas Miller stated that the next Board meeting would be Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m, at Urey Middle School for a regular session with an executive session immediately following for the purpose of discussing job performance evaluation of individual employees. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Gene Knowlton and seconded by Dave Hostetler to adjourn the regular session. The vote was five to zero. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION Immediately following the regular session, the Board met in executive session for the purpose of discussing job performance evaluation of individual employees. No other matters were discussed. The executive session adjourned at 11:42 p.m. Statewide Girl Scout Conference Set For January Mary Rose Main, National Executive Director of Giri Scouts of the U.S.a., the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world, will be the keynote speaker at the Indiana Giri Scout Troop Leader Conference scheduled for January 18-20. The conference titled "Leader Fun in ’9l,’’ will be held at the Fort Wayne Hilton and Grand Wayne Conference and Convention Center in downtown Fort Wayne. "On behalf of all Giri Scouts in Indiana, we are honored and pleased to have Mary Rose Main join us for this important Giri Scout event," states Maggie Gallien, executive director of the Limberiost Girl Scout Council, which will be hosting the Giri Scout conference. "Giri Scout troop leaders will enjoy a unique opportunity to hear about the future of Girl Scouting from the organization’s number one operational leader." Ms. Main assumed the postion of National Executive Director of the Giri Scouts of the U.S.A, on February 1, 1990. Immediately prior to her appointment, Ms. Main served for 13 years as assistant national director. In that post, she played a leading role in increasing Giri Scout membership to its present total of 3.1 million, the highest in 15 years. She was also responsible for implementing a corporate planning and management system for the Girl Scout organization and developing a series of management monographs that have received acclaim from both the non-profit and for profit sectors. "There are over 10,000 Girl Scout leaders in Indiana," states Gallien. "This conference is the first in over ten years to be planned and dedicated to the adults who serve as role models to the thousands of girls in Giri Scouting. ” All Girl Scout leaders are invited to attend this conference. Registration and more information is available from your local Giri Scout council.