The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 6, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 4 July 1991 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - JULY 4, 1991

EDITORIALS

FILING TIME APPROACHES Although the fall elections seem a long time away as we are now in the heal of summer, the time for candidates for the Town Elections to file is rapidly approaching. The system to choose candidates for these elections has changed slightly over the years and now those wishing to run for any of the offices in the Town Elections must file their candidacy before the Town conventions that must be held before the last Saturday in July. There are three seats on the Council and Clerk-Treasurer to be filled this year in both Walkerton and North Liberty with Walkerton also having the position of Judge of the Town Court on the fall ballot. The two major parties are now required to hold their town conventions before the last Saturday in July and the candidates wishing to run for any of these offices must file their candidacy with the County Clerk by noon the day prior to their convention. Already the two Republican conventions have been set, each coming on Thursday, July 18, so candidacy must be filed before noon on Wednesday, July 17. The conventions replace the former caucuses that were held that sometimes met with few candidates in some cases expressing their desires prior to the caucuses and often a candidate was more or less “drafted” at these meetings just to fill the ticket. In the procedure now, the parties should be better organized and the candidates have to have filed their candidacy in advance, taking away that last minute decision that so often happened in years past. In recent years, the election laws for such an election were also changed to not elect an entire five member board at one time. In Walkerton the first and second wards are filled the year prior in the general election and in North Liberty it is the first and fifth wards that had council seats filled last year. Both clerk-treasurer jobs are up for grabs and in Walkerton the Judge of the Town Court is also to be on the ticket. It takes a person who is truly interested in the operations of the town to set on the council for their four year term. The operation of a town the size of Walkerton and North Liberty is not just a second thought, it is a job that needs to have interested people and those who wish to serve involved. Over the years the job has gotten tougher as all the changes that start at the top dwindle down and new laws are constantly passed that makes this a more important and difficult task. Anyone interested in running in the November election must act very soon. The papers needed to file a candidacy can be obtained from the local party officials or can simply be acquired at the County Clerk’s office in South Bend. Whatever way one does it, with the blessing of the party heads or without, the time is now to give it more than just a thought as one must have the proper filing made before the town conventions later this month. FZ^emembeH^^ WHEN... JX?

1986 Karen Christensen was one of 41 4-H youths from 31 Indiana counties named as state achievement winners, Monday evening, June 30, during the second session of the 68th 4-H Roundup, at Purdue University. More than 2,000 youths are attending the three-day program which began Monday. Chae Belkiewitz, 27428 Stanton Road, Walkerton, coach of Plymouth High School’s volleyball team, was named as the District 1 Coach of the Year, for the second consecutive year. Saturday, July 5, there will be two special events at Potato Creek State Park, a Cultural Arts program and a fireworks show. Both will be at the beach and are free to the public after paying the park’s admission fee. The Walkerton Jaycees in conjunction with Miller’s Merry Manor would like to announce they will be hosting the annual residential Spelling Bee, on Thursday, July 3, at 2:30 p.m., in the dining hall of the nursing home. 1981 The Walkerton Fourth of July celebration kicked-off with a Kiddies Day, July 1, with a parade from the Presbyterian Church parking lot to the lawn of Urey Middle School at 10:30 a.m. with four categories of favorite movie or TV character, historical figure, me and my pet or what 1 would like to be when I grow up, to choose from.

Two trophies in each category were persented. Olympics were held at 11:00 a.m. at the park and at 12:00 noon all kids were able to ride the carnival rides as they wished for only $3.00 until 6:00 p.m. A pie eating contest was held at 7:00 p.m. Bingo was enjoyed on July 2 and on July 3 followed in the evening by the Dixie Walkers Square Dancers performing and at 9:00 p.m. there was a youth dance with music provided by Just Before Dark, at the Elementary School. July 4 the day kicked-off with the Little League games at 10:30 a.m. and the women’s softball games began at 1:30 with a dance at 8:00 p.m. for the youth. The fireworks display, which was great began shortly after dark. Julie Cline, a student at John Glenn High School, is a statewide winner in a national art competition co-sponsored by the National Art Education Association and Reader’s Digest. The John Glenn High School tennis team members captured the Northern State Conference title. Members of the team are Pam Aitken, Tammy Tuttle, Lori Neiswender, Monique Pavey, Traci Florian, Chris Walker, Marina Kickbush, Cindy Shipley, Cindy Petry, Sandy Kemp, Jill Bolze and Terri Stull. The coach is Richard Kickbush. Each of the girls were presented with a trophy by Rex Stull, president of the Athletic Boosters at a dinner held at the J &

J Restaurant, recently. 1971 The North Liberty Band Boosters chicken barbecue was the setting for the naming of the 4th of July Queen and her court. Miss Debbie Fraser became the 1971 Fourth of July Parade Queen. Serving on the court are Sharon Shaffer and Kathy Desits. Achievement winners from the area and the 4-H Round-Up held at Purdue University, West Lafayette, and Mark Malstaff, photography; and Sheryl Shearer, food preservation. Malstaff is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Malstaff, Walkerton, and Shearer is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Loren Shearer, North Liberty. Free swimming lessons are being sponsored by the Koontz Lake Lions and will begin on July 5. 1966 Ridiculous! This is about the only word that explains the recent letters received by the merchants of North Liberty concerning awnings and other overhangs on the sidewalk for protection from the sun and weather. The State Highway Department asked that these be removed as on obstruction to vision on the highway. Traveling along State Road 23 in North Liberty, no possible way could be seen where these awnings and overhangs could obstruct vision. If they do, the answer to traffic accidents could be answered. If drivers are obstructed in vision by such as this, they certainly aren’t paying any attention to the road on which they are driving. At the market shank or whole hams were selling for 55 cents a pound; fryers at 29 cents a pound; round steak at 79 cents a pound; ground beef at 39 cents a pound; watermelons at 79 cents each; bing cherries at 39 cents a pound; cantaloupes at three for SI.00; potato chips at 49 cents for a pound box; and 28 ounce cans of pork and beans for four for SI.OO. 1961 Spend the Fourth in Walkerton is a motto that for years has been the practice of many who seek fun and entertainment on the holiday that is designed for fun. On Saturday, July 15, the Walkerton Junior League Baseball program will be the benefactor of a dance to be held at the American Legion Hall. The Walkerton-Lincoln Township Advisory Committee for school reorganization has been invited to attend the regular meeting of the Starke County Re-organization committee, in Knox, on Friday evening. The local committee consists of Clyde Chapman, Robert Awald, Wayne Cover, Mrs. Grant Bellinger and Mrs. Robert Hiler. At the market rib steak was selling for 69 cents a pound; franks at 49 cents a pound; bacon at 59 cents a pound; ham salad at 69 cents a pound; a pound package of smokie links for 59 cents; boiled ham at 79 cents a pound; 12 family size tea bags for 39 cents; three 46 ounce cans of tomato juice for 79 cents; a dozen lemons for 39 cents; stalk of celery at 13 cents; and a gallon of milk for 69 cents. 1956 in celebration of the 180th birthday of our country’s independence, the ladies auxiliary of the American Legion Post 365 will sponsor a gala day of fun, food and forget your worries which will, as always, be held in Liberty Park. Beginning July 1, the dumping of rubbish of any and all character in the ponds or anywhere in Liberty Park, will be stopped. Rev. and Mrs. Homer A. Schrock have asked to be released as pastor of the local Church of the Brethren, in North Liberty, on or before September 1. This request has been granted that they might become superintendent and matron of the Mexico Church of the Brethren Home. This home, owned and operated by the Church of the Brethren Churches of Indiana, is located in Mexico, Indiana, about five miles north of Peru and is a

home for the elderly. 1951 Some nice big fish have already been registered in Houser Hardware’s fishing contest which started last week. Mr. Morrison registered a s‘/i pound bass caught at Koontz Lake and John Kepcha registered a six pound six ounce northern pike taken from the Kankakee River. We will not have peaches, pears or plums in our orchards this year, but we will have an unusually good crop of apples is the statement from John Haag, local fruit grower. The November hot and cold weather did much damage to the fruit crop locally. He had 13 acres of peach trees killed which he has bulldozed out. Mr. Haag also said that his 700 plum trees wouldn't have enough on them to even bother to pick. 1946 Joseph R. Smally, 34, of Fairmount, was contracted to teach and coach athletics at Walkerton school next year. Burgulars forced an entrance into the Silo Co. Machine Shop, at North Liberty, on Wednesday night and removed all the tools used by mechanics in their repair work. Several chests of tools were taken as well as nemerous loose ones. Motors were removed from various appliances and were also taken. The County Sheriff force is conducting an investigation. Rev. Kuhn, pastor of the Walkerton Methodist Church, will be returning to the Walkerton Church making his return the first time in history of the church’s 100 years of activity that any pastor has been re-assigned for the 7th consecutive year; also it marks the first time in Kuhn’s ministry of 28 years that he has been assigned to the same church for seven years. He also serves the Tracy Church, several miles west of Walkerton. Judge Fred Bingham, St. Joseph Superior Court No. 1, decided in favor of the Walkerton-Lincoln Township Board of Education Wednesday when he handed down a decision stating that the Emery Flaugher family have not been residents of St. Joseph County and that therefore the children could not legally attend the Walkerton school unless transferred by their home trustee or tuition was paid. 1941 The Finance Committee of the Chamber of Commerce held on Saturday, June 28, “Booster Day.” This day marked the close of a fund raising campaign to provide money for Walkerton’s “Bigger and Better” Fourth of July Celebration. Ranked by residents as one of the most disasterous blazes in the history of the town of Stillwell, fire of undetermined origin last Friday destroyed the Stillwell School, a barn and a garage owned by Amel Draves and caused minor damage to a dozen homes in the down. Stillwell is about nine miles northwest of Walkerton on the Yellow River Road. Among the 200 boys to leave Fort Wayne this morning on a trip to Niagara Falls, New York, was Deloyce Cripe, who received this trip as a reward for securing 20 new subscribers to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette.

B UTTERS EDITOR V1

“Kicked Out” Morris Searfoss found his bag and slippers on the front porch when he returned at 7:00 p.m., after he delivered the Friends of the Fourth placemats last Tuesday evening. It seems that he had been running around all day with a strange woman. It also seems that Bvrdie and daughter, Brenda, thought that that woman might as well just keep him the rest of the time, as they had been out together since 7:00 a.m. Are you ready for the Fourth? I think that the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. It is totally an

American celebration. No gifts are necessary, just a good time for all. We do need to be more alert to safety factors. Drive carefully and handle fireworks gingerly. For a treat during the holidays, drive on out to the Christmas Shop on Tyler Road. It’s located at the Stuntz-Hochstetler Pines. They have decorated Christmas trees in patriotic bows and balls. It’s also nice and cool out there among the trees. Eleanor Heckaman, who used to have Eleanor’s Posy Parlor, in Walkerton, has opened a yam and quilt shop on 31 South, right next to the fireworks store. Stop in and visit with Eleanor and Oliver. I’m sure that all of you know who the other woman is in M's life. Keep in mind that this is not a gossip column, just a fun letter. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday. Sincerly, Nedra Williams Shakespeare Co. And Roving Troubadours At Firefly Love and laughter, harmony and hilarity come to South Bend’s St. Patrick’s County Park on Saturday, July 6, when the Firefly Festival for the Performing Arts hosts “The National Shakespeare Company” and “A Reasonable Facsimile.” The fun begins at 7:00 p.m., when roving musicians Ann and Bob Bums roam the hillside playing Renaissance airs and recounting humorous tales. Dressed in period costume, the musical duo plays an assortment of instruments including cittern, gittem, dulcimer, recorders, fifes, shawms, and percussion, recreating the entertaining music and clever banter of the strolling troubadours of Shakespeare's time. The play’s the thing at 8:00 p.m. when the National Shakespeare Company takes the stage to perform the bard’s delightful comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing.” The National Shakespeare Co. will hold a workshop entitled "Voice and Movement for the Actor” in the stage facility at St. Patrick’s County Park at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 6. Theater professionals ans students will learn physical and vocal exercises designed to help achieve sensitivity, physical awareness, and clear articulation. The fee is $5.00, and participants may register by calling the Fireflv office at 219-288-3472. The Firefly Festival is held at St. Patrick’s County Park, 50651 Laurel Road, South Bend. Parking is free, and assistance for disabled persons is available. If the performance is moved indoors due to bad weather, an announcement will be made on City Line and on local radio stations at 3:00 p.m. Ticket information for performance, Adults: Avance tickets, $7.00 each; at the gate, $9. Children: Ages 6-16, $2 each; under age 6, free. Group discount: A 20% discount off advance sale prices is available for groups of 15 or more adults, call Firefly, 219-288-3472. Box Offices: South Bend, Century Center, 219-284-9111 jyNotre Dame, LaFortune Student venter, 219-239-8128; Mishawaka, Majerek’s Hallmark, University Park Mall, 219-277-5096; Elkhart, Templin’s, 219-293-3043; LaPorte, Majerek’s Hallmark/Reader's World, 219-326-5980; New Buffalo, MI, Brennens’ Book Store, 616-469-7530; and Niles, MI, Majerek’s Hall of Cards & Books, 616-683-1689. The Firefly Festival's goal of bringing quality and diversity in the performing arts to the broadest possible audience is assisted by generous community and foundation assistance and support from the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.