The Independent-News, Volume 118, Number 12, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 13 August 1992 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS — AUGUST 13, 1992

EDITORIALS

NEWS AND/OR STORIES Sometimes it gets rather hard for one to tell the difference between what is a news story and what is just a story. And the unfortunate part of it is, the “stories” often spread like wildfire while they are just that, stories. There is nothing that goes around faster than the rumor mill. This is particularly evident when a matter is of interest right at the time and speculation can easily also be a part. We were especially happy last week to have one of Walkerton’s businesses, Harvey’s, run a simple little “Happy Ad” stating that they were staying in business in Walkerton. Since several businesses have been eliminated for one reason or another in the past months or so, rumors have flown rapidly about the future of not only the departed businesses and empty buildings, but also about other businesses and their future. It doesn’t take much to get a rumor on such a matter moving very rapidly. And of course there are always those few who like to “tease” with stories because they know others are so gullible. This often is the start of stories that just aren’t based on fact. It is no secret that Walkerton, as well as other small towns and even some not-so-small towns, have been losing businesses in recent years and it is also true that replacing a business especially in a small town, is not easy. For the past couple of years, rumors have circulated about the future of some of these businesses and open buildings, possibly just because someone has shown a little interest or inquired about a certain facility. That doesn’t make a news story, it just makes a “story”. It is best to be sure of things before passing information on based on half a story or speculation. We very sincerely hope that Walkerton, as well as other small towns, can continue to hold their own in business, but it isn’t an easy thing to do being located so closely to major shopping centers. Even the larger cities are hurting in this fashion, but when the stories about such situations turn out to be a true news story, it is certainly time for concern. It isn’t because local people, merchants and public alike, don’t want businesses at home, but it is a real challenge for any small business to continue to make it in today’s competitive world. Shopping habits, easy access and traveling a few miles is no longer much of a matter. It is just our current way of life. We hope the news stories continue to be positive and an end would come to many of the other “stories”. CAN’T PASS THIS ONE UP We had an occurance last Friday that we just can’t pass up passing on to you, as readers and as subscribers. This incident happened the same day the Postal Service announced the reduction of 30,000 workers to help erase the deficit. On Friday, we received a “change of address” through the Postal Service, originating in St. Louis for a subscriber who changed addresses and the paper, according to postal laws, could not be forwarded on but returned postage due to us for a change of address. This happens all the time when subscribers change addresses and do not tell us. What made this one so special is, that upon opening the envelope, checking the name and looking at the paper involved, this change of address was for the January 9, 1992 issue of “The IndependentNews”. It is not unusual for a change of address to take a couple of weeks to come through, but seven months seems just a little ridiculous to us. What we wonder is what would have happened to all the papers since had not this person come into our office and advised us he was now a resident of Walkerton again. Maybe in addition to just eliminating 30,000 jobs, some effort could be made to contine to employe competent workers once again. It seems the more modern the Postal Service gets, the more the service slips. It just seems ridiculous to us that it takes four, five and six days to get a copy of “The Independ-ent-News” to LaPorte, extreme southern Michigan and a few other nearby points.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE “New Roads To Travel” After at least 15 years of almost continuous service on the Fourth of July committee and the Friends of the Fourth, I’ve finally decided to see the fireworks! Before all of you get up and cheer, I’m still selling raffle tickets for the Great Pumpkin Festival and the Koontz Lake Association. 1 have had a great time working for the local groups sponsoring the show but it is now time for me to move on to traveling other roads. I became interested in the Fireworks show when a carnival pulled out of the area because of vandal-

ism. Wyman Hochstetler, Leonard Northam, and I worked very hard to continue tradition. The Friends of the Fourth work long and many hours to obtain funding to put on a show that has been aired every Fourth of July for over 50 years. For over 50 years, volunteers and the businesses and you, the public, have put on a great show. I know that the future members will continue the great job that has been done in the past. 1 will remember my time serving as a labor of love. I was talking about running for President of our country and five people told me that they would vote for me, probably just to get me out of the area. Over the weekend I was privileged to set up a booth at the Indiana

Christmas Tree Growers convention held at the Stuntz & Hochstetler Christmas Tree Farm. 1 met many great people from all over Indiana and other states. I find out so many things at different events. Did you know that Joe Long has some of the most beautiful gladiolas around. There were some for sale at the Walkerton Sale Barn on Monday night. It is always amazing to me that there are so many different businesses and events around the Walkerton area. I guess that I will have to make crabapple jelly. Nobody called and wanted the apples. Don’t forget the Potato Creek Festival in North Liberty this weekend. I sure hope that they have potato doughnuts. The garden and its week population await me. Peach pie at Wanda’s this week! Sincerely, Nedra Williams ‘‘1.0.0.F. Lodge” Walkerton Lodge 437 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at North Liberty on the 10th day of January, 1874 and was known as North Liberty Lodge 437, 1.0.0. F. At the Grand Lodge session in 1889 it was changed to Walkerton Lodge 437 Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The charter was destroyed by fire and a new charter was issued in 1893. The Lodge is still active today and wishes to thank the local people for their support during the years. If you would be interested in becoming a member, contact Morris Searfoss. Morris Searfoss 586-3521 “Great Divide” At Potato Creek Park Saturday The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Cultural Arts Program will host a performance of Great Divide on Saturday, August 15, at Potato Creek State Park. The performance, which is free, is free of charge, is open to the public and will be held at the Peppermint Hill at 7:30 p.m. The Great Divide’s multi-faceted music combines folk, jazz, bluegrass and rock influences with three-part harmony. Banjo playet John Hoyt and guitarist Ron Beach have performed together for 12 years. Bass guitar player Ric Dwenger joined the trio in 1982. To celebrate their first decade together, the band recorded “Visions”, an album which includes songs from the 1930’s through the 1980’s. Their stage show features a wide range of music and is great entertainment for all ages. You are invited to bring the family to this entertaining presentation. Although the performance is free, the standard $2.00 per car (50c per person for buses) will be charged at the gate. Lawn chairs or blankets are suggested to ensure comfortable seating. 1993 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS NOW ON SALE Tickets for the 48th United States Women’s Open Championship, to be played at Crooked Stick Golf Club, Cannel, Indiana, on July 19-25, 1993, are now available to the general public. The tournament is the second major championship to be played at Crooked Stick and tickets are being offered in several different packages. The Season Pass package, for the cost of S7O, includes complimentary parking and admission to three days of practice rounds as well as four days of tournament competition. Daily tickets are also being offered for all rounds of practice and championship play. Tickets to any of the three practice rounds are priced at $7 each. Admission to the first two days of competition, July 22-23, is sls per day with the

final rounds, July 24-25, costing S2O per day. There will also be special daily admission rates of $5 offered to children 17 and under in an effort to encourage the growth of Junior Golf. These tickets will not be sold in advance and will only be available at the admission gate. For further ticket information, please contact the 48th United States Women’s Open Championship Office at 11550 North Meridian Street, Suite 393; Carmel, Indiana 46032 or call (317) 843-5000 or 1-800-845-OPEN. Ticket brochures are available at local Indiana pro shops. CONSUMER ALERT Attorney General Linley Pearson says consumers should be wary of credit card offers which guarantees acceptance. Pearson says the credit cards are often advertised on television, by telephone solicitations and in newspapers and magazines. To strengthen the appeal, the credit cards are labeled “gold” or “platinum” credit cards and resemble bank cards with those names. The advertisements may promise credit lines, better credit reports and other financial benefits but the credit cards are usually limited to catalog purchases offered by the credit card issuer, Pearson explains. “In many instances, a consumer’s application for credit is approved and they believe they will receive a bank credit card,” Pearson says. “Instead they receive a credit card that is similar to a bank card but is actually one that can only be used to buy merchandise from the card issuer. That merchandise is usually high priced and of low quality.” Pearson says the credit cards offered through telephone solicitations often include a requirement to call a 900 number for more information. Calls to consumers are made by an automatic dialing machine, which plays a recorded message. The sales pitch sounds like the consumer will receive a credit card by calling another number. Consumers do not learn of the cost of the call until their telephone bill arrives. Pearson says consumers may make the telephone call to the 900 number and receive a charge for that without receiving the credit card, even though the card was promoted as having “guaranteed acceptance”. “Many of these credit card offers also include a fee of S3O to SSO to SIOO, just to obtain the card,” Pearson says. “And, another fee is usually tacked on to receive the catalog. Be certain you inquire about any and all fees before making a commitment to obtain a credit card.” Pearson says consumers should determine the amount of interest they will pay on credit card purchases. Compare those rates to rates offered by financial institutions that offer bank cards. Also, Pearson says, many times the catalog companies which issue their own cards do not allow a consumer to charge the total amount of a purchase to the credit account. “Instead, the company may require a cash deposit or payment on each item being purchased,” Pearson says. The attorney general also says consumers are led to believe they will be able to obtain more credit cards once they receive the gold or platinum card. “Many times the company will be able to get the consumer a bank card, but it will be a secured credit card. A secured credit card requires a deposit, sometimes of as much as SSOO, and charges to the card cannot exceed that amount,” Pearson says.” "Secured credit cards are available through financial institutions and can be obtained without first

getting a gold or platinum credit card” Pearson notes. Pearson says consumers who are thinking about accepting a gold or platinum credit card offer should be skeptical of promises to repair credit and increase credit limits. Consumers should also investigate all costs associated with the card before agreeing to accept the offer. LAPORTE HOSPITAL OFFERS DRIVER IMPROVEMENT COURSE FOR SENIORS LaPorte Hospital has joined with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to offer a 55 Alive/Mature Driving Course. AARP developed the eight-hour classroom refresher course to help drivers 50 years of age or older improve their skills and prevent traffic accidents. The first session of the course will be held Wednesday, September 9 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Heritage Place, first floor, Classroom C, 901 Lincolnway, LaPorte. The second session will be held Thursday, September 10 at the same time and location. The fee for the course is SB.OO. For further information or to register for the course, call LaPorte Hospital’s VITA program at 3262474. The 55 Alive/Mature Driving Course is designed to meet the specific needs of older drivers. It covers age-related physical changes, declining perceptual skills, rules of the road, local driving problems, and license renewal requirements. Volunteer instructors recruited and trained by AARP conduct the course, which is presented through a combination slide presentation and group discussions. Many automobile insurance companies conducting business in Indiana provide a premium discount to graduates of 55 Alive/Mature Driving Course, which is a state approved driver improvement course. AG CDL INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT BRANCHES AND STATE FAIR Persons interested in applying for a restricted agricultural Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) can obtain information on the new permit at a license branch or at one of the BMV displays at the Indiana State Fair. The fall season for restricted agricultural CDL use is September 2 to November 30. The restricted agricultural CDL allows persons who deliver agricultural supplies to farmers to drive vehicles coverd by CDL statutes during spring planting and fall harvesting seasons. During the Indiana State Fair (August 12 - 23), BMV representatives will have information at the Exhibition Hall or at the BMV Mobile Unit, which will be located north of the fairgrounds racetrack. “Since many people in farmrelated businesses will attend the fair, they can save a trip to a license branch by stopping by our State Fair booth,” said BMV Commissioner Gilbert L. Holmes. Fair patrons also can obtain driver and vehicle records, parking placards for disabled persons or renew a driver’s license at the fair. To quality for a restricted agricultural CDL, applicants must have a good driving record for the past two years. A driving skills test is not required. For additional information about the restricted agricultural CDL, contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles At (317) 232-7295 or (800) 562-4591. ENVELOPES Variety Os Sizes And Styles Available CHECK OUR PRICES! Independent-News 601 Roosevelt Rd., Walkerton