The Independent-News, Volume 121, Number 47, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 4 April 1996 — Page 5

EASTER Easter is one of the most joyously celebrated religious days of the year. Beyond the deep religious observations, the spring festival observance has taken on many forms in different lands, as other people have developed their own customs over the ages. The name Easter derives from Eostre, an ancient Teutonic goddess of spring. In other countries, France for example, Easter is called “Paques,” derived from “pasch,” meaning literally “he passes over,” and alludes to the Jewish Passover. As Christmas has been identified with the winter solstice during the early developing years of the early church, so Easter was celebrated in the spring in recognition of rebirth of nature. The Council of Christian Churches in 325 decided that Easter should be on the first Sunday following the Paschal full moon. The pilgrims making their way to the yearly Easter festival needed the light of the full moon to aid in their travels, which was the principal reason for so establishing the date of Easter. The identifying of the egg with Easter has been observed in many countries throughout the world since ancient times. Symbolically, the egg has been used in ancient Easter rites to represent the spring season. Just when this originated is unknown — but the egg represents the revival of the fertility of the earth and is a symbol of the secret of life — and was so considered a fitting emblem for the spring season. It is explained that the longing for the colorful flowers of spring following the long cold winter was •' the motivating force behind the custom of coloring easter eggs in beautiful gay colors. The symbolic Easter egg has been utilized in many ways — egg rolling, egg “nicking,” egg hunting and many others. The most elaborate custom involving the Easter egg was developed by the White Russians. For many years exquisitely decorated eggs were given by them as presents. In the latter nineteenth century this practice changed from real eggs to delicately made eggs of great value. Many were made of pure gold with precious jewels and enamels decorating them. The beloved Easter Bunny is of German origin. His association with Easter stems from the fact that he is a symbol of prolific reproduction of life — and not that he is supposed to lay eggs. There are many customs in many lands, but whatever the custom, and whatever the date, the one time meaning of Easter is the risen Christ. The deep religious significance of this event transcends eggs, rabbits, flowers, fashions and customs, even as the sun transcends the little incidentals of our man-made ways.

WRESTLING RESULTS The Falcon Freestyle Wrestling team attended the tournament at Columbia City, on March 16, with Eric Reese, Andrew Stevens, Henry Lowry, Jason Lowry, Jeff Aldrich, Jimmy Aldrich, Wes Walls, William Borror, David Duncan, Joe Curtis, Ricky

Curtis, Jimmy Bailey and Chad Carrico attending. The placing of the local wrestlers is as follows for this tourney: Eric Reese, first; Andrew Stevens, second; Henry Lowry, second; Jason Lowry, first; Jeff Aldrich, first; Jimmy Aldrich, second; Wes Walls, fifth; David Duncan, third; Joe Curtis, first; Ricky Curtis, first; Jimmy'Bailey, six-

th and Chad Carrico, third. The local Freestyle Wrestling Club were invited to the Huntington County Wrestling Tournament on March 23 at the Huntington North High School. Local wrestlers attending included Jeremiah Rizek, Andy King, Mario Smith, Harry Ganzer, Lucas Garrett, John Stevens, Jeff Aldrich, Chad Fetziaff, Brad Hartsell, Chris Adkins, Brandon Adkins, Jimmy Aldrich, Kyle Laßere, Josh Rizek, Andy Stevens, Chad Carrico, Nick Laßere, Matt Bogard, Andy Bogard, William Borror, David Duncan, Josey Blosser, Henry Lowry and Jason Lowry. Placing were Jeremiah Rizek, second; Andy King, third; Jeff Aldrich, third; Brandon Adkins, second; Kyle Laßere, second; Andy Stevens, third; Nick Laßere, first; David Duncan, second and Jason Lowry, third. The Falcon Freestyle Wrestling Club went to Peru on March 30th for a tourney. Those attending were Jeremiah Rizek, Andy King, Lucas Garrett, John Stevens, Jeff Aldrich, Chris Adkins, Brandon Adkins, Jimmy Aldrich, Josh Rizek, Andy Stevens, Matt Bogard, Andy Bogard, William Borror, Henry Lowry, Jason Lowry, Nick Laßere, Cory Miller, Joe Curtis and Rick Curtis. Placing at the meet were Jeremiah Rizek, first; Andy King, second; John Stevens, second; Jeff Aldrich, first; Jimmy Aldrich, first; Andy Stevens, second; Jason Lowry, first; Nick Laßere, first; Joe Curtis, first and Rick Curtis, first. There are four tournaments remaining and they are on April 6th at Adams High School; April 13 at Valpo High School; April 20th at Lowell High School and on April 27th at Syracuse High School. The State Finals will be held on May 11 and 12 at Ball State U., Muncie and the Great Lakes Festival will be on May 17-19 at Purdue.

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

SPRINGTIME Ah, it is the wonderful time of Springtime, the new plowed earth, the leaves and pine needles aroma, the pungent smell of chicken manure, the garbage filled ditches and fence rows. It seems that there is always something not perfect in every season. Although there is one consistent thing at all times, throw-a-way garbage. Beer bottles, fast food containers and just plain sacks of garbage. Starke County is having a county-wide clean-up. I wonder how long their roadways will be enjoyable. I guess that some people think that they are

APRIL 4, 1996 — INDEPENDENT NEWS

recycling, they throw out and. someone else picks up and eliminates. I understand that Little Joe’s is expanding their restaurant. When they finish with the new lounge, there will be seating for 150 guests. They purchased the Stai;lite and will be renovating the building. We should be very grateful to people like the Knizer family for taking a chance on Walkerton. Last Thursday, the Business and Professional Women had their monthly meeting and dinner at the Dockside Inn. The dinner was excellent and we had a fun meeting. I even won a prize, a stuffed Easter bunny. I’ll have to hide it from the grandkids. This brings up the subject of live bunnies and chicks, or ducklings for Easter gifts. Remember that these babies grow up to be big anumals and need proper care. They can’t live in the wild. Just give a stuffed animal, there’s a lot of cute ones out there. The area has lost another friend, Mary Jean Ricciardi, Koontz Lake. I guess that when one passes from our generation, we sit up and notice and think about the fleetness of life. Laurel, Len and boys, our thoughts are with you. It’s time to get ready for

Easter and Springtime. Happy Holidays. Sincerely Nedra Williams TRI KAPPA NEWS Zeta Pi Tri Kappa celebrated their 27th anniversary at the March 10th meeting held at the North Liberty Community Building. Following the opening the officers gave their reports. Sue Groves gave members an update on the upcoming Fine Arts Festival that will be cohosted by the Epsilon Chi chapter, Walkerton, at JGHS on Sunday, April 28. The major fund raiser for the chapter is a trunk full of treasure that is worth over a thousand dollars and is on display at Diane’s Gourmet Tea Shop where tickets are also available. Following the close of the meeting members celebrated the anniversary of the chapter with a St. Patrick’s theme used by the hostesses, Sue Crone, Pam Dosmann and Sandy Lack. It was noted that chapter inspection will be held at the April 10th meeting. *** The first adhesive postage stamps went on sale July 1, 1847.