The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 32, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 22 December 1994 — Page 4

- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - DECEMBER 22. 1994

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I EDITORIAL !

THE CHRISTMAS STORY And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaia, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) to be taxed with Mary his expoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, 10, the angel of the Lord came down upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, 1 bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another. Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:1-20 Even though told and retold time and time again, the story of the first Christmas, simple as it may be, is still one that needs to be repeated. There is no mystery or doubt in the minds of even the young today about this story, but it is still intriging and a story that will be read time and time again by most people. We are happy to pass this on to you at this time of year, a time when love and peace are abundant as the greatest gift of all is given once again to mankind.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

“Fax Machine*" The recent purchase of fax machines by John Glenn School Corporation for School Board members to be used in their homes may be one of the best investments in technology made by the Corporation. The School Board members are providing for the expense of a telephone line. The ability to communicate with School Board members in a timely and efficient manner is very valuable in providing information to Board members for decision making. Information is sent to the Board members on a daily basis. The expense saved in postage, supplies and secretary time in processing mailings is a savings to the Corporation. Recently, information regarding an agenda item pertaining to the building program was received a few hours prior to the Board meeting. Fax machines allow the Board an opportunity to review the updated information on the agenda hern prior to coming to the Board meeting. When the matter came up at the Board meeting, they were in much better position to respond to the information and make a decision on that item. We need to put the tools of technology in the hands of the Board members to assist them with their responsibilities. David McKee Superintendent J.G.S.C. “Thaak Ym Community" The family of Michael C. Albert

would like to thank the community for the outpouring of love, concern and support shown to us since Michael was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who contributed to the benefit fund. This made it possible for Michael's family to remain together while he was receiving treatment in Boston. The importance of that is now known as that was the last few months that we had together. We also thank everyone who has sent donations to the Michael Charles Albert Scholarship Fund. With your help we will be able to give something back to the community in Michael’s name. We were always touched by the phone calls, visits, cards, flowers, balloons and gifts which Michael received. He felt the love which was behind all of these. We are grateful to all the individuals who have sent donations to the Ronald McDonald Houses in Indianapolis and Boston. You have contributed to a worthy cause. At the Ronald McDonald House we received the support and sense of togetherness which we needed during this difficult time. We will remember Michael as he was ... his dimpled smile, his love of family, his endless wit, his laughter, his courage and his loving gentleness. These are all chenshed memories which will sustain us. He touched many lives in his 12 years. Though we do not under-

stand why his time with us was so short, we can know it was strong in love. The power of his brief life will continue to work through those of us left behind. Bill and Kari Albert Martha Albert and Family Charles & Leah Cripe and Family ‘A Summation About Life" In some ways, however small and secret, each of us is a little mad! Everyolne at sometime is lonely and cries out to be understood; but we can never fully understand someone else in relationship to our own feelings — and at times each of us remains part stranger even to those who love us most. It is the weak and ignorant who are cruel — and gentleness and kindness is to be expected only from the strong, because it takes strength to understand others, as well as trying to understand our own complex natures. And people who do not know fear, are not really brave, because each one of us must have the capacity and courage to confront life’s problems and accept them either in a rewarding manner or brace acceptance without bitterness and harm to others. You can understand people better if you will really look at them — no matter how unkind, old, young or impressive they may be — as though they are children. Because actually most of us never fully mature — we simply grow taller and older. Happinss comes only when we push our brains and our hearts to the fartherest reaches of which we are capable — usßng our heads to think clearly and our hearts to love fully! After all, the purpose of life is to matter — to love, to count, to stand for something worhtwhile; to have it make some difference to those who know and love us, that we lived at all! Walter Rhodes

This Week In History

On December 25, 1776, George Washington recrossed the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to Trenton, N J. to do battle with the Hessians December 20, 1803, the U S took the title to the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the U.S area December 22, 1807, the Embargo Act was passed, banning all trade with foreign countries and forbidding ships to set sail for foreign ports December 20, 1835, because of the discovery of gold on Cherokee land in Georgia, the Indians were forced to cede those lands and cross the Mississippi December 23, 1913, the Federal Reserve System was authorized in a major reform of U.S banking and finance December 22, 1919, approximately 250 alien radicals were deported December 22, 1968, 82 crew members were released from the USS Pueblo which had been seized in the Sea of Japan by North Koreans December 23, 1981, President Ronald Reagan ordered sanctions against the new Polish military government in response to the imposition of martial law in that country December 24, 1983. in compliance with the War Powers Resolution applied by Congress, U.S troops left Grenada ... December 21, 1988, Drexel Bumham Lambert agreed to plead guilty to six violations of federal law, including insider trading, stock manipulation, and falsified records, and to pay penalties of $650 million, the largest such settlement to date December 20, 1989, U.S. troops in vaded Panama in order to overthrow the government of Manuel Noriega who took refuge in the Vatican mission The forked tongues of lizards and snakes are used to smell as well as to touch. The world of the living contains enough marvels and mysteries acting upon our emotions and intelligence in ways so inexplicable that it would almost justify the conception of life as an enchanted state. —Joseph Conrad

To Your Good Health by Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

DEAR DOCTOR DONOHUE: I just read about Paget’s disease, the bone problem. The writer mentioned a drug, Didronel, which helps it. He told of patients who take it periodically, going on and off it. Can you tell me more? I am wondering if it helps in osteoporosis. DEAR READER: In Paget’s, the person's normal bone metabolism has gotten out of kilter, resulting in weak bone areas here and there Perhaps we'd all benefit here from a short course m bone metabolism, for Paget 's and the drug you mention go to the heart of that process Bones are not static, but living substance Their cells are in a constant flux between dissolution and rebuilding, a process that continues up to the moment of death. Different kinds of cells take part in each of the two phases of bone turnover, osteoclasts, the bone-dissolv-ing cells, and osteoblasts, cells (hat do the rebuilding We are not sure what disturbs this balance to cause Paget's, but the result, as I said, is spotty weakening in parts of bones A test, the blood alkaline phosphatase test, shows this imbalance of Paget's Didronel (etidronate) returns order to the Paget's bone It does so by slowing down the dissolving activity of the osteoclast cells. That lets the remodeling osteoblasts play catch up But because of the bone-building process, the Paget's patient takes the drug in an on-off schedule It is during off weeks when rebuilding occurs Didronel is approved for use in Paget's specifically However, some doctors have used it for the more general bone weakening problem, osteoporosis. For more background on osteoporosis, see the report I’m mailing Others who want (his report can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 23-WS, Box 5539, Riverton, N.J. 08077-5539. Enclose S 3 and a selfaddressed, stamped (52 cents) No. 10 envelope. ©1994 by King Feature* Synd

Dollars & Sense by Bryon Elson

Before you lease a car, familiarize yourself with the IRS' treatment of leased cars Federal law does not require leas ing companies to disclose key financial details. Dealers and leasing companies encourage the use of monthly payments. To determine your monthly payment, you should concentrate on the three factors: capitalized cost, the residual and the terms. Capitalized cost is the equivalent of the sales price Negotiate this price as if you were buying the car. The residual amount represents what the leasing company estimates as the car’s value at the end of the lease term The higher the residual, the less you will pay for depreciation and the lower your monthly payment. If you do not intend to eventually buy the car, look for a high residual value and low monthly payment. Leases typically run from 24 to 48 months This makes leasing attractive for people who want new wheels about every three years. Leasing allows you to move from car to car without the hassle of selling or making a large down payment Most leases allow 15,000 miles a year Driving over that mileage will cost you 10 to 15 cents a mile If you think you will drive more than the number of miles specified in the lease, purchase extra miles up front This is less expensive than paying excess mileage charges at the end of

(he lease Maintain your car to avoid excess wear and tear costs. These charges can run into hundreds of dollars so protect yourself with a lease that defines excessive wear and tear. Also, carefully examine the early termination provisions of your lease Most leases involve serious penalties for getting out early. If you think you may need to get out of the contract ahead of schedule, do not lease a car. If you plan to use a leased car for business purposes, keep in mind that you cannot simply write off your lease payments. Keep accurate mileage records, differentiating between business and personal miles. Then apply the business percentage to the sum of your actual expenses for the year These expenses include gas, oil, maintenance, insurance and your lease payments.

Health & Nutrition by Judith Sheldon

MERRY CHRISTMAS - and please have a safe and healthy holiday There's still time to check the lights on your tree to make sure they won’t cause a fire There’s also time to check that the tree is in a safe setting away from a fireplace or other heal source, and that you keep it well watered Also be careful about driving Many people have misconceptions about alcohol and its effects on drivers According to a release from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, some of these misconcep tions can be dangerous Dr David Chen, director of the Spinal Cord Injury Program at the RIC, cites some of the myths along with the facts Myth Drinking coffee sobers me up Fact Coffee cannot rid your sys tern of alcohol It just makes you wide-awake Only time reverses im pairment Myth I always stay away from the hard stuff Fact Alcohol is alcohol Beer has the same effect as straight scotch One 12 ounce beer has as much al coholasa 1 5 ounce shot of whiskey Myth Lin bigger so I can handle my liquor better Fact Size is only one factor in how much you can drink Metabolism, amount of rest, and food intake all play a part in how you handle liquor Impairment in motor reflexes and judgment can Ix-gm with the first drink Myth Once I roll down the car window, |’m okay Fact No amount of fresh, chilly air can reverse impairment You gam nothing by r< illmgwJowr» a w indow or turning on the air conditioner Myth 1 just drive more slowly Fact Many people do, believing they can actually compensate tor being impaired by creeping along at 22 miles per hour This can lx- vers dangerous (since) other cars (will be racing) along at 75 MPH Ihe truth is, impaired drivers are unsate at any speed One more fact to lx- aware of Even it you don’t drink, you can Ik haz ardous to yourself and others if you overeat right before driving Many ; drivers have fallen asleep at the wheel after a heavy meal, with dis astrous consequences to themselves and to other drivers on (he road Therefore, if you eat a lot more than i you usually do, wait at least an hour : before you drive । ©1994 by King Feature* Synd ■ JI fa i \ \ UJH I /Am । eh । Tl ' “We used your college trust fund to change our image, dude!"