The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 52, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 11 May 1995 — Page 4

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- THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - MAY 11, 1995

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IT WORK TWO WAYS There is no doubt the concerns about the environment are of major interest at all levels of government and competition. A strong effort to protect the environment in many ways has been made in recent years and is only getting stronger. As our technology and inventive skills continue to grow, so does some changes in living that affect the environment strongly. As good as the results may be, there are some negatives involved also, which we have to live with if we are to continue progress along these lines. In recent years, packaging and distribution of many articles have changed to “throw away’’ containers and articles themselves. This has put an extremely heavy strain on landfills, etc. For many years we thought very little of dumping, what, when and where. But this was not doing any good for future years and the dumps and landfills begin filling up at alarmningly fast rates. It still is a major problem today. However, great strides have been taken to curtail as much of this type of disposing as possible. Also, we protect wetlands and marsh type areas where a few years ago these were perfect spots to “fill in” with our trash and discards. It took some time to realize that disposing just anywhere in any fashion was doing serious damage to our environment. It has in many areas led to contamination of underground water supplies, as well as just outright dumping to harm both looks and space. Recycling is a big thing. We are all for it. However, this is one place we pay the price. A lot of items can be recycled if handled properly. Among those of course are paper, aluminum, plastic, glass, etc. But in many cases, especially with paper, it is more expensive to recycle paper than it is to produce it from scratch. Regulations have forced more steps to be taken such as de-inking to a higher degree, and the various steps are expensive. Consequently, paper prices are skyrocketing. Over the weekend it was stated that Houston’s one daily newspaper was going out of business, leaving Houston, our 4th largest city, with only one daily newspaper. One of the main reasons ... the cost of newsprint. With three increases already this year, they estimated their newsprint increases for the year would amount to $lB million. So they sold their assets to their competitor, and closed their doors. This is one way that hits almost everyone’s pocketbook. It might not be as drastic as that, but you will feel the pinch one way or another as paper and paper products continue to rise at an alarming rate. Yes, we are recycling, but at a more expensive price. In the near future, the Town of Walkerton is supposed to get a recycling center located here. This is another part of the county-wide plan to further recycling in our area. It will be a welcome addition. Now some Walkerton citizens take their recyclables to the North Liberty station, but a lot more effort will be made to recycle when it can be done here at home. The vicious circle continues. The more we improve and make convenient, our way of life, the more price we might have to pay to enjoy these improvements. However, as our society has a tendency to get a little more expectant of convenience factors, we are going to have both sides of the coin face us and we will have to pay for these conveniences.

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“To Whom It May Concern” I’m writing this letter to the person or persons who had the hit and run accident Sunday morning April 30th. You know who you are, do you remember that morning? It was raining and it was about 3:30 a.m., you came around the curve at the Koontz Lake dam, I don’t know if you were drunk or asleep, but you were going way too fast for that curve. First you hit the speed limit sign, the one that says 35 m.p.h., you hit it so hard that it flew 120 feet into my yard and stuck in the ground like an arrow, after that you hit our fence, we can tell where you hit because the fence is dented and twisted where you struck, but you still didn’t stop. Next you slammed into my powder blue Chrysler, the first car that 1 ever picked out by myself, you hit it so hard that you pushed it into my husband’s pride and joy, his 69 Dodge truck, that impact led to my son’s Cougar being frontended by his dad’s truck. The truck and my son’s car are damaged but they can drive down the road. But what you did to my Chrysler, the trunk is pushed into the back seat, the rear window is

gone, my son said that you hit so hard that the glass was blown into the street, the rear doors will not open, the hood is out of alignment which means a bent frame. It was a beautiful car, ran well, and was paid for. We are still trying to figure out how you drove away, most people don’t believe it when we tell them it was a hit and run. But run you did, my son tried to find you, but you were too fast and ran well. We do know a little about you, we know that your car is an older model in the 80’s or so, we know that it is a G.M. product maybe an Olds or Pontiac, we’re not sure about the color, but you might have some yellow or cream color on it somewhere, we found some bondo that didn’t come from us. What did you tell your family when they saw the car, if they saw it! Did you say you hit a deer or a tree, or were you hit and run! Did you hide it somewhere and tell them it was stolen? Did you look them in the face when you gave your excuse? We wonder if anyone was hurt, we wonder why you didn’t stop. Your car must be damaged and it might even have some powder blue paint on it.

I’m busy now trying to find a new car, the insurance won’t pay unless we know who you are, so I’m trying to find what I can afford. Did you drive by the house to see what you did, my son says they always come back to the crime, did you feel anything when you looked at what you did? I thought if I wrote this it might help the hurt and anger go away, I don’t know if any of the papers will print this, but if they do, will someone who saw your car read it? Will your parents and friends see it and if they do I hope they will do the right thing and call us or the police. Sadly and respectfully, Elaine Kozora Koontz Lake “A Great Weekend” Memorial Day weekend could and should be a great one. The Walkerton Alumni Banquet is the 27th. The Walkerton Area Chamber of Commerce is having a pancake breakfast on that morning starting at 6:00. a.m., at Al’s Diner, Koontz Lake. It would be a great idea to take our alumni group out to breakfast that morning, good food, no mess! There will be a white elephant sale along with the breakfast, maybe even a chance or two to win a prize. Also, the local Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will be serving. Every so often in life, I meet people who have a life that I wish that I could emulate. No, I don’t mean fame and fortune, just lovely people, people who care about people and are willing to help at any time. I know of such a couple, living in the area. Whenever there is a funeral dinner or other activity in Johnson Township, or any other local area, they say please call us, we’ll help. Even in times of personal adversity, they have a strong faith and perservence to see them through. Helen and Devon Holland you are blessings to the whole area. Devon has on many a cold winter day arrived at our house to get the old furnace going, so that Roy wouldn’t lose his happy home. Helen can sure make good food for anything that is happening. These are great neighbors and friends. When you are saying your prayers, add a big one for these fine folks now. Helen and Devon, it is a privilege to know you and to say, thank you for all the many wonderful things that you do for the area, and for me personally. Nothing is happening at the Fowl Farm in regards to the feathered flock. The kittens are starting to pop out. Maybe by next week, the turkeys will be hatching. I sure hope so, it is hard to mow the lawn around the nests, with all of the hissing and gobbling. Remember to mark the calendar for the pancake breakfast. Sincerely, Nedra Williams

Home Tips

CLEAN IT OUT - I found the best way to clean the inside of a pumpkin is to use the flat, round seal from canning jars. It’s perfect for scraping out every last bit. Julie K., Las Vegas, Nev. SHAMPOO — My daughters are always trying different types of shampoo for their hair. When they change from one to the next, instead of throwing away the leftover old ones, I use them to handwash panty hose and delicate clothes. Irma N , Metairie, La. SHOULDER PAD USE — Stitch two unwanted shoulder pads (make sure they’re pretty thick) from a blouse or dress together and add some trim You have now created a great hot pad for the table. Karen G., Coral Gables, Fla. CLOTHING STORAGE — I store, pack and hang all of my knits inside out so that if they are snagged accidentally, it will be on the inside and save the job of pulling the thread through. Connie F., Bozeman, Mont.

I MEMORIES .... H | FROM OUR FILES |

1985 HAROLD MUNCIE ACCEPTS POSITION AS SUPERINTENDENT — Harold R. Muncie, 55, on April 30, was named as superintendent of the Western Boone School Corporation, enrollment approximately 1,800, Thorntown, Indiana, to replace the retiring Paul R. Brachemyer. The new superintendent will assume duties July 1. Muncie was superintendent of the John Glenn School Corporation for 12 years, beginning in 1972, before applying for the Western Boone position. Muncie began his teaching career at Tyner High School, in Marshall County, beginning in 1954. He remained there as a teacher and head basketball coach for nine years, when Tyner became part of the Polk-Lincoln-Johnson School Corporation, as a consolidation with Walkerton. Muncie was principal at Tyner for two years, at Walkerton High for one year and a principal of John Glenn High School for six years, before being named superintendent. MISS FIRECRACKER AND MR. SPARKY CONTEST TO OPEN — The Fourth of July Committee’s “Miss Fireworks and Mr. Sparky" contest is set to begin on May 20. This year the contest is open to boys and girls from age three through the fifth grade. The boy and girl winners will receive two child and two adult passes and expense money for a one day excursion to Great America. The second place will be awarded a gift certificate to Children’s Palace at University Market Place. All boys and girls entering the contest will be awarded prizes and will be featured in the 1985

To Your Good Health I by Paul G. Donohue, MD ■

DEAR DOCTOR DONOHUE: I had just gotten out of the hospital and had a headache like you wouldn’t believe. Nothing would relieve it, and the pain was so great, I could hardly move. On top of that, I started vomiting. My husband took me to the hospital and they thought I had broken a blood vessel in the brain. After admission, they did scans and spinal taps. The conclusion is I had aseptic meningitis. I eventually recovered, but am still shaken by the event. Please explain it for me. I W DEAR READER: Meningitis is infection of the meninges, the tough covering tissues of the brain. Aseptic is a word that may seem contradictory in this context. It means “without infection,” but what really is meant is infection with something other than bacteria. This vague diagnosis reflects times before we knew a whole lot about other infecting organisms, like viruses In fact, most aseptic meningitis, we’ve since learned, is viral infection, for which there is little one can do but wait things out, making the patient as comfortable as possible during that wait. Generally, things settle down in a week or so Cardinal signs of aseptic meningitis include severe headache stiff neck, vomiting and fever Though the patient may feel near death, mit make a full recovery with no consequences.

Walkerton Festival Parade. 1970 METHODIST TO CONSECREATE NEW BUILDING — Dr. Donald F. McMahon, superintendent of the South Bend District of the United Methodist Churches, will deliver the sermon at the con secreation of the new Walkerton United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. Sunday. May 17. The conse creation service marks the second week of special events for members of the Walkerton church. Last Sunday 600 people attended morn ing worship services in the new structure. Some 400 visited the church for a vesper service am open house during the afternoon 4-H HORSE SHOW AT FESTI VAL —All 4-H members of Lincoh Township Comrads 4-H club am their parents arc asked to be pres ent at a special meeting at 8:0< p.m. May 19 at Harold C. Ure Middle School for the purpose <> each club member and parent t< receive their assignment forth» public horse show Sunday, June " This is the third year the 4 1 club has staged the horse and pone show at Place Park at Walkerton According to the large entries cacl year, the show has been classifici as an A-l show and is now ai annual affair. 1945 VICTORY OVER GERMANY - UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER — President Truman sets Sunda\ as Day of Prayer. With victon over Germany a certainty, follow ing the unconditional surrender announced May 8, President Harr' S. Truman issued a proclamatioi setting Sunday. May 13, as a day o' prayer, and urged all people to at tend services. Many local churches had, plan ned special Mother’s Day service* for Sunday and these will bi combined with a Peace Day service in response to the President wishes. In Walkerton, Supt. J. A. Canq bell held a special school assembh Tuesday morning, and address< the group on the significance oft!, occasion, and dismissed school t the balance of the day. The stor 1 remained open as usual. A community religious senu was held at the United Brethrc Church Tuesday with a large a tendance. Short talks were ma>!< by Rev. W R. Kuhn, Rev. R \ Hartman and Rev. Mrs. Risl< Thg Gold Star Mothers of the co’ munity were given special recog tion. In North Liberty a commun service was held Monday evenit . in the Christian Church, with la and prayers being given by t ministers of the local churches. observance was held at the sch< as Monday was the day of fn examinations and there was school Tuesday. In his proclamation, Presidet Truman stated: For the triumph of spirit and arms which we have won, and t its promise to peoples everywhi w ho join in the love of freedom, it fitting that we. as a nation, gi thanks to Almighty God, who b: strengthened us and given us t victory. Now, therefore I. Harry S. 1 man. President of the United Sta of America, do hereby appoint Si day. May 13, 1945, to be a dae prayer. 1 call upon the people of f United States, whatever their fat ' to unite in offering joyful thanks God for the victory we have w and to pray that He will support to the end of our present strugi and guide us into the way of pea 1 also call upon my countrymto dedicate the way of prayer to r memory of those who have go their lives to make possible < 1 victors.