The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 24, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 27 October 1994 — Page 5

VIEWPOINT |

"Be Positive & Realistic” First of all, let me explain this is intended only to be in the constructive view, not destructive, but let’s be realistic when we look at this subject. In response to Gene Reese’s "Voice of the People’’ letter last week, you can be positive about Walkerton in many ways. But you also must be realistic and this is where the Walkerton Chamber of Commerce can really do some good. The statements made by Mr. Reese were probably prompted by at least three different reasons, whether consciously or sub-con-sciously. Mr. Reese is president of the Walkerton Chamber at this time and each and every new set of officers and their president are always upbeat about things. This is understood. Also, Mr. Reese and his wife Marsha, are business people in Walkerton, and being positive and having a continuing success in business rests a lot with a positive and forward attitude for the public you are depending upon. And third, Mr. Reese is also a member of the Town Council and is running for re-election in a contested race this year and any type of positive publicity at this time can be very beneficial. But realistically, look at the overall picture. Sure the improvements mentioned are happening, but also there are other actions that offset some of this. Are we gaining a lot or just turning over? The thing many people see and one that reflects their feeling is the business district. And truthfully, Walkerton, like many towns and cities, is suffering a continued loss of business in the business district. lam talking about true retail stores. Just look around. Right now you actually do not have very many true retail businesses in Walkerton. And what we do have, we are still short a lot of products and services that at one time all small towns had. There are things you are almost driven out of town to find. And with the several retail stores leaving downtown at this present time, it will just get worse. Yes you can blame a lot of this on the giants ... the Wal-Marts, the K-Marts, the Meijers, The Martin’s. The Krogers, etc. All these super stores and the associated shopping malls and strip malls have made it much harder for small town (and also city) businesses to continue. It wasn’t too many years ago you were just a block or two away from buying bulk nails, lumber or repair supplies you needed, new shoes, clothes for men, women and children for all occasions, furniture, appliances, in addition to your everyday needs and groceries, etc. That isn't true today and that is what dwells in many people's minds, especially those who were around for all of this and do remember when each town and city could pretty well supply their own people with their needs. The Chamber not only needs to talk like a leader, they need to act like one. Over the years their goals, trends, policies, and actions change also. Sometimes their goals are too broad and too large for what they are capable of doing. The way of achieveing their goals has also changed. For some reason there tends to be a lot of thought that standing behind a name or an organization gets the job done. That is not right. It still takes those within the organization who are willing to work to get the job done. One example right now is the "W.1.N.” Coupon Book project. This project, at least the fifth time >t has been undertaken by the Chamber, is aimed at raising several thousand dollars for various community projects, which I can’t name but that doesn’t matter any-

way. The job of undertaking this program has been handled by a couple people as volunteers, and from what it looks like, has received very little support from the Chamber members themselves. Nothing is wrong with asking the entire group to chip in. It would be a very big boost to the project if each member of the Chamber would take the responsibility of selling ten, or even five books. The job would be a lot easier for a lot to do a little than for a few to do a lot. Despite the enthusiasm the committee had and the value they will point out in these books, the books will not entirely sell themselves. If this were a school or some support type organization promoting this, you can be sure each child or member would be asked to help. It is easy for me at present to be critical of the Chamber. At the present time 1 am not a member. Despite having been a member for many years, but have not been a member since their decision to take their business of the Walkerton Shopper out of town. It was not the Chamber as a whole that made this decision, but a few individuals who had the power of decision at that time. lam simply not paying dues to an organization that is working against me. That would be like a political candidate putting money into his opponent’s campaign. When the Chamber’s powers at that time made the decision to take the business elsewhere after we had given them this service for 13‘/j years, it was a few people, not the whole group. In fact a lot of membership and most of the public didn’t know, and many still are not aware of the fact, this has been going on now for over five years. After several years of good operation, and as retail businesses started to wane in Walkerton, the advertising habits changed as well as flyers, circulars and other types of direct mail advertising was starting to make a big difference in things, the Shopper had some problems. We worked with no less than 10 different parties as editors, managers or whatever name they gave them, in a period of about four years. This led to the moves that followed that takes not only a lot of business out of town, but took away about one-third of our business all in one sweep. Os the nine people who are either mentioned in letters I received from the Chamber or with whom 1 had to meet in regards to this, only three are still left in Walkerton businesses or even in town. The rest have gone down other roads for one reason or another. These are some of the people who made that kind of decision. It is pretty hard for a lot of these people, often very new in the Town or business community, to tell me too much about this and that. I started working at the present business and location in 1949, bought into ownership starting February 1, 1957, and have over the years been very active in the community, a lot of the organizations and especially the Chamber until business and health reasons put a lot of restrictions on such. We worked on joint promotions, as far back as in the middle 1950’5. I still have copies of some of the promotional advertising in the files. It was a lot varied efforts, starting with these combined efforts of the merchants when there were monthly promotions and mailings sent out, there were extended shopping hours and Friday night specials, free drawings, band concerts, other activities, all in the purpose of increasing business and helping the local merchants and public. These things went on for a lot of years prior to the "turning professional"

of the Chamber and their services. How many hours and hours of time and effort were given by interested people ail these years to make the Chamber go. They had regular business meetings, some social events, but always were geared through action and help to promote and assist Walkerton and the Walkerton merchants. I was secretary for nine years and president for two more when a lot of the growth was going on, especially in the Industrial Park at the west edge of town. This was all done by volunteer workers for the Chamber and the Industrial Fund for the betterment of the Town. It still depends on a lot of work . . . and it should involve everyone, not just a few individuals. We want to be positive about Walkerton. This is where I have put my life and effort. I don’t want it to crumble anymore than anyone else. But 1 also must be realistic. I had to make great adjustments when the Chamber took their work out of town, decreasing staff and payroll, not increasing it like they want to talk about. Facts are facts . . . yesterday, today and tomorrow. You can't change some things, you adjust with them. But a united effort with one good certainly helps. It is time the Chamber’s actions are as positive as their words. Being positive is wonderful, but make it positive in both words and deeds. Robert E. Urbin, editor The Independent-News

Health & Nutrition by Judith Sheldon

A WEIGHTY PROBLEM: By now, many of America’s college freshmen have discovered that the jeans and tee-shirts they wore in high school just a few months ago are getting too tight to wear. While the first tendency might be to blame the washing machines on campus for shrinking the clothes, the fact is these students are experiencing the all-too common “Freshman 15" syndrome. June Palacio, professor of nutrition at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, cites stress as the most immediate cause of this added avoirdupois. “It’s a very stressful time (for them)," she says “And food has a calming effect." Add to that the fact that college dining halls offer generous portions, and late-night study sessions seem to go better with high-fat snack foods, and the stage is set for inevitable weight gain. There’s also the socializing factor. New college students are eager to make friends. As Professor Palacio says, “...the cafeteria tends to be a place to socialize outside the classroom It’s the social center on many college campuses ’’ At Pepperdine, the students are encouraged to adopt healthful meals that won't tum into fat. As one gets older, the metabolism slows down and more weight is added. But for many students, the increasingly unwearable wardrobe is enough to get them to change their eating habits and increase physical activity Prof. Palacio suggests parents send their kids “care" packages of fresh fruit instead of cookies. MAKING THE GRADES: If you see the term, “Fancy” applied to fresh, canned or frozen foods, the USDA says that means it's the premium in freshness, color, and size. Be aware: (his rating isn’t commonly awarded, so be sure the produce you see marked “Fancy" really looks as if it'seamed its grade. If you see U.S No. 1 (fresh) or grade A (canned or frozen), it means the product is good quality. This is the most commonly awarded rating. U.S No. 2 (fresh) or Grade B/extra standard (canned or frozen) means the food is less lender than No. I or Grade A, but has good flavor and color. U.S. No. 3 (fresh) or Grade C/standard (canned or frozen) indicates the food is older and less uniform in appearance than either No. 2 or Grade B ©1964 by King Feature* Synd.

OCTOBER 27, 1994 - THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS

I Memories . . . L FROM OUR FILES |

1984 FIRST FALL FESTIVAL A SUCCESS IN WALKERTON — The first Fall Festival, in Walkerton, was staged the past weekend with over 40 booths participants. In all it was a success despite the rain that came in Saturday shortly after noon. The town was decorated with com stalks, pumpkins and yellow mums. The committee deserves credit for doing a super job in pulling off the first Fall Festival. HEALTH FAIR SET FOR NOVEMBER 3 IN WALKERTON — The Walkerton and North Liberty Lions Cub, in cooperation with the St. Joseph County Chapter of the American Red Cross, will on November 3, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., hold "Well Fair For Your Welfare" health fair. The fair will be held at the dining commons of John Glenn High School. Educational displays and demonstrations on achieving and maintaining good health, accident prevention and safety, as well as health related topics will be on hand as well as free screenings for blood pressure, height and weight, blood sugar, anemia, etc. Those participating in the fair are LaLeche League; Indiana State Police; Weight Watchers; Dairy Council of Northern Indiana; United Health Services; Planned Parenthood of Northern Indiana; Ameican Cancer Society; Social Security Administration; Alzheimer's; American Red Cross and the Lions Clubs International Eyebank, Cancer Control, Leader Dog, Sight and Hearing Conservation. 1969 CHAMBER HAS PROGRAM ON NEW COUNTY PARK - Gary Hoffman, acting director of the new Bendix Woods Park, west of South Bend, operated by St. Joseph County, presented the program to the Walkerton Chamber of Commerce Thursday at a luncheon meeting at Heil’s Restaurant. After showing slides and giving an interesting commentary on the same, Hoffman answered questions concerning the park for a very enjoyable program. SANDY MORRIS NAMED 1969 QUEEN — Sandy Morris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Morris, Route 3, Walkerton, was crowned Homecoming Queen for 1969 at the John Glenn-South Central football game last Friday evening. FALCONS TRIUMPH OVER SATELLITES FOR 4TH WIN 23-14 — A vastly improved defense paced a second half rally that allowed the John Glenn Falcons to break a 14-14 halftime deadlock and roll on to a 26-14 victory over South Central in the Homecoming game Friday night. SHAMROCKS ARE BLITZED 60-0 BY LAVILLE FRIDAY - The North Liberty Shamrocks were handed their worst defeat in the school’s history Friday night as the LaVille Lancers poured on a 60-0 whitewashing at the LaVille field in a home game of the Shamrocks. The Lancers, who by this win cinched the Northern State Conference title with a perfect 4-0 record, had tendencies to "pour it on’’ as the regulars were left in throughout almost all the game. 1944 THE WAR ON THE HOOSIER HOME FRONT — Hey kids, listen to this — You can tell Dad and Mom that you got it from WPB that there will be a few toy soldiers and miniature automobiles and trucks made out of zinc on the market this year. The folks may not be able to buy new electric lights for the Christmas tree, but they can get tinsel and those gorgeous blown glass ornaments. Tell the folks that while toys will be a little higher, they will also be a little better — less paper board

and more wood and metal. And if you are looking for ideas to put into a letter to Santa Gaus, here’s some information to keep in mind . . . rubber for toys, still prohibited . . . tricycles, scooters and other heavy toys, not being made . . . electric trains, none, but some new track for electric maintenance is on the market . . . toys with gears, not to be had . . . some toy wagons with wooden wheels and some with metal wheels . . . fewer sleds than before the war and some of them with wooden runners . . . some doll carriages with metal chassis, other with wood . . . doll carriage tires, to be made of "mud’’ residue by-product of reclaimed rubber . . . dolls in prewar quantities with curls, moving eyes and even voices . . . plenty of teddy bears and stuffed toys . . . more of those new plastic doll dishes and a few modern, steel unbreakable dishes . . . both metal and wood construction sets ... a "limited" supply of checkers, dominoes, dart boards and other games this year because your "G. 1." brother is getting some of your share.

Household Help by John Amantca

Q. I’ve been having intermittent problems with my front doorbell for the last several weeks. At times, it will work perfectly. Other times, there seems to be a humming sound coming from the box on my wall. I also have a side entry bell and it works just fine. Can you try to determine what may be causing this kind of problem? A There are several things (hat you will need to check before we can resolve the actual problem In practically all homes, the doorbell is powered with low voltage that is fed from transformer that converts your household current to a 12- to 14-volt range. Some possible causes for occasional failure can be the wiring, transformer, a faulty switch or even the bell itself You mentioned that your side entry doorbell works fine, so the odds are that the switch on your front doorbell is defective. Most bells have very small screws that secure them to the wall, so start by removing them After removing the push button, check to see that the wires are making good contact to the two screws behind the switch If the connections appear to be good, just remove each wire and touch them together Keep in mind that (his is very low voltage and not your ordinary household current If the doorbell rings, you have found your problem in the push button Altema lively, if there is no bell, try cleaning the terminals with a very fine sandpaper If that is a no-go, your local hardware dealer will carry a replacement switch or you may just want to change the entire bell If the cleaning doesn't work, I suspect a wiring defect or possibly a burned-out transformer You must locate the transformer by tracing the wires from the bell See if the wires that lead to the transformer are making good contact If you are skeptical about cleaning the wires from the transformer itself, tum off the master electric sw itch before disconnecting If that still doesn't work, remove (he transformer and have it tested at an electrical supply dealer before you purchase a replacement ©1994 by Kin< Feature* Synd Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into, the mind. —Samuel Taylor Coleridge Deep-seated preferences cannot be argued about — you cannot argue a man into liking a glass of beer. —Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

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