The Independent-News, Volume 117, Number 52, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 21 May 1992 — Page 1

The Independent-News

VOLUME 117; NUMBER 52

Memorial Day Program Monday In Walkerton The Nation pauses on May 25 to remember the pride and pain and sacrifice the many thousands had to pay that we might live in the country we have today. Our committment to our honored dead requires more than flags, flowers and memorials. We must dedicate ourselves to perfecting and keeping the peace, all of us have different thoughts concerning Memorial Day. A visit to the cemetery is usually made beforehand to see if anything in particular is needed. Flowers are purchased or gotten from your own yard or garden. The weather is a prime element of Memorial Day weekend. If the flowers are placed too early, the sun and wind take their toll. Everyone wants their flowers to be as fresh as possible. Memorial Day has arrived. Small American flags flutter in the breeze from veterans’ graves which The American Legion has placed several days in advance. The cemetery is still and ready as if awaiting the day’s ceremonies. A program is planned by the veterans’ organizations. Color Guards of several veteran groups, the high school band, the various Scouting orders, children with decorated bicycles, and other interested citizens parade to the cemetery. As they turn into the cemetery, all is still except the muffled tap on a drum. As the program proceeds, a few words of a familiar poem come to mind: **ln Flanders Fields, the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place .. . We are the Dead. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, love and were loved, and now we lie in Flanders Fields.” The martial music of the band lifts our thoughts for a few moments. Then the Color Guards and the Firing Squads are called to attention. The salute to the dead is given and the mournful notes of taps echoes throughout the cemetery: "All is well, safely rest”. But all is not sadness on this day. There is pride too. Pride in knowing that those we honor have served their country with dignity. They have made their sacrifice, and now it is up to us to be thankful that we are able to observe Memorial Day. Participating in the observance will be the American Legion Color Guard and Firing Squad, the Senior Color Guard of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Junior American Legion Auxiliary Color Guard, the Sons of the Legion Color Guard, the VFW, John Glenn High School. Band, the Scouting organizations and especially the guest speaker, the Reverend Father Frank Gill, Retired U.S. Navy Chaplain, who will deliver the timely message. Any individual, group or ogranization wishing to pay tribute on this occasion is most welcome. Assembly is at 10:30 a.m. at Urey Middle School with the parade commencing at 11:00. The banana does not grow on a tree. It grows on an herb—the largest known of all plants without a woody stem or solid trunk.

WALKERTON, INDIANA 46574

School Corp. And Industrial Fund Have Joint Project On Tuesday, May 19, the Walkerton Industrial Fund and the John Glenn School Corporation hosted an informative meeting for several industrial representatives who have indicated an interest in adult education for their employees. The featured presenter was Carol McKirgin, Director of Adult Education for the South Bend Community School Corporation. Any business presentation and information were given to those attending. Any business or industry in the area who would like such information may contact Dave Behr at 5867766, or Dick Kickbush at 6568123. Employees may wish to let their supervisors know of their interest in attending adult education classes to meet their needs or goals for employment. One is never too old . . . or it is never too late ... to learn. Spring Sports Awards Night Date Is Changed The Spring Sports Awards Night for John Glenn High School has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 p.m. Athletes participating in Spring sports will be honored in the high school cafeteria. Each family is asked to bring a dessert and their own table service. The beverages will be provided. After the refreshments, the presentation of awards will be made by the Spring coaches. John Glenn Set Summer Tennis Camp The John Glenn Summer Tennis Camp will be held June 15 through July 3 at John Glenn High School. The camp is separated into three different skill levels and is open to any age groups. The fee is $15.00 for the 3-week clinic which includes a T-shirt. Registration forms may be picked up in the John Glenn High School office. CONVALESCENT EQUIPMENT BEING SOUGHT The North Liberty Lions are preparing an inventory of their convalescent equipment, such as wheel chairs, walkers, hospital beds, canes, etc. If you have one of these items, please let the Lions know by calling Craig Parmley, at 656-3930 or 656-8767, or Dorothy Overmyer, 656-4602. We are aiming to have these items cataloged, collected, and stored in a good, dry central location and would appreciate the public’s help in this effort. If you have an item such as the above to donate, it too would be appreciated. These items are loaned to the public on a no-charge basis. ATTENTION SENIOR GOLFERS Senior golfers will be playing at Swan Lake on Thursday mornings. Tee times set aside for the seniors are from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. All seniors are welcome to the league.

Name Valedictorian And Salutatorian At John Glenn Mike Shuler, principal of John Glenn High School, has announced the top two students in the graduating class of 1992. Tim Pletcher, son oif Mr. and Mrs. Dirk Pletcher, of Walkerton, is the valedictorian of the 1992 Senior Class at John Glenn High School. Tim is graduating with an outstanding 4.0 grade point index. He is a member of the National Honor Society, French Club, Chess Gub and Thespian Society. Tim has served on the Senior Board, the Academic Decathlon Team, and has been an active member of the marching, jazz and pep bands. In addition, Tim has been on the tennis and basketball teams at John Glenn. Tim plans to attend RoseHulman Institute to prepare for a career in Chemical Engineering. A HL The Salutatorian for 1992 is Michelle Lyle, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Lyle of North Liberty. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Art Cub, Aerial Staff, Foreign Language Gub and S.A.D.D. Michelle was also a member of the State Champion Spell Bowl team for 1992. She will graduate with an excellent 3.922 grade point index and has been recognized as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Michelle will attend Butler University to earn a degree in Pharmacology. These students, as well as the entire graduating class, will be recognized on May 31, 1992 at 2:00 p.m. in the John Glenn High School gymnasium in commencement exercises.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1992

Microfilming Os Newspapers Is Now A Reality An exciting and golden opportunity has arisen in the area, in that the newspapers owned and housed in the office of The IndependentNews in Walkerton are being microfilmed by the dedicated members of The South Bend Genealogical Society. This organization is primarily interested in the preservation of historical and genealogical data of the area. The local Historical Society became involved in the late winter. Several members of the South Bend Genealogical Society came to Walkerton and then returned to South Bend with many, many bundles of newspapers. These newspapers were carefully unfolded and prepared for microfilming. Many of the pages were in extremely deterioriated condition but all efforts were made to preserve the essential information. Some issues are missing but interesting reading will be gotten from the many issues that were microfilmed. Beginning with the St. Joseph County Independent, published in Walkerton, the dates run from July 3, 1886 to October 23, 1897 when in 1897 the St. Joseph County Independent changed its name to Walkerton Independent. There are 5 rolls of microfilm from this time period. The next undertaking was to film the North Liberty News, again published by the Walkerton Independent in Walkerton. The time frame for this paper is June 19, 1897 to June 28, 1962. In 1962 this paper combined with the Walkerton Independent to become The Inde-pendent-News. Again, there are missing issues. There are 15 rolls in this series. The South Bend Genealogical Society will take a much deserved break for the summer in the microfilming of the papers and it is their intent to continue in the fall. There will be 17 rolls of film for this time span of December 1897 to December, 1929. And, again, there are missing issues. This project was extremely monumental, more so than they anticipated but they persevered and now the area of Walkerton and North Liberty will benefit from their efforts. The Walkerton Historical Society purchased a used microfilm reader recently and is placed in the Walkerton Public Library. Now comes the golden opportunity referred to previously. The history of Walkerton and North Liberty is recorded in the newspapers of the Independent-News and the forerunners of the paper. The preservation of our history is essential so the future generations of citizens may refer to these rolls of microfilm and learn of their area. These rolls of film are not indexed at the present but that is a future project of interested groups. These rolls of fill will be on permanent loan to the Walkerton Public Library and housed in the library. The cost of each roll is $17.50. If you wish to be instrumental in the preservatgion of our newspapers, you may be a gift contributor of the price of a roll of film, $17.50, payable to the South Bend

25' PER COPY

NORTH LIBERTY PLANS MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES Memorial Day services in North Liberty will be held at Eastlawn Cemetery, North Liberty, beginning at 9:00 a.m. For the parade to the cemetery, participants will meet at the North Liberty Elementary School to assemble at 8:45 a.m. All veterans, Boy Scouts and clubs are urged to participate. The guest speaker will be Rev. Tim Stewart. The event is sponsored by the American Legion Post 365 and V.F.W. Post 1954, of North Liberty. Pommerts To Celebrate Their 50th Anniversary V• F i ■ a ' • ■ < An open house in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Pommert, 29518 Pirece Road, North Liberty, will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 24, in their home. They were married May 23, 1942 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Hosting the open house will be their two daughters, Mrs. Steven Lane, South Bend, and Mrs. Greg Kellogg, Granger. The couple also have three grandchildren. All relatives and friends are invited. No invitations have been issued and the couple requests that there be no gifts. LICENSE BRANCHES CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY Bureau of Motor Vehicles license branches will be closed May 23-25 to observe the Memorial Day holiday. Branches will observe regular operating hours on Tuesday, May 26. NOTICE- ALL 1972 JOHN GLENN GRADUATES If you have not responded to your invitation to the 20th class reunion, please do so as soon as possible. Contact Jean at 784-8724 or Diane at 586-2849. 2tm2l Genealogical Society, but mailed to the Walkerton Historical Society, in care of Amybelle Wardman, 810 Ohio St., Walkerton. Indiana 46574. A deadline has been made of August 31, 1992 for the purpose of re-evaluation. Will you help preserve our history?