Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 125, Number 11, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 22 May 2002 — Page 4

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Advance News » Wednesday, May 22 2002

letters to the Editor NAPPANEE POST OFFICE THANKS DONORS The US Post Office of Nappanee would like to thank all of our patrons who participated in the annual national food drive last Saturday, May 11. It rained the entire day but the spirit of giving was not dampened in our community. The combined effort from our carriers and volunteers along with the generous donations brought in a total of 2,446 pounds of food. The food will be divided among Nappanee’s local Open Door, the Family Christian Development Center and the First Church of God’s food pantry to be distributed for needs within the Nappanee Community. MEMORIAL DAY PARADE TO THE ADVANCE NEWS: Nappanee will again be having a Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Day Service at City Hall. The parade will be held on Monday, May 27 at 10:30a.m. at Nappanee Elementary and proceed down Centennial Street to Main Street, south to Lincoln Street and ending at City Hall. The memorial service will begin at City Hall following the parade. I encourage all citizens to support our veterans by lining the parade route and by attending this memorial service. I want to personally thank Police Chief Mike Anglin and Frank Hartman for their support and planning for this Memorial Day Celebration. Thank you, Larry L Thompson, Mayor Crime Stoppers This week’s crime of the week comes from the files of the Goshen Police Department. On May 8,1995, the body of 17-year-old Jessica Zbras was found along Rock Creek Run on Goshen's near north side. Police believe that Jessica knew her killer and went unwillingly to the location near the creek. Jessica lived only about five blocks away with her family and the police found her car parked near the location where her body was found. It appeared as if there was a struggle outside the car where she was killed. Investigators said that the cause of death was asphyxiation and they need your help to solve the case. If you have information regarding the death of Jessica Zbras and call Crime Stoppers this week, you could receive a reward of up to SI,OOO upon the arrest or indictment of the suspect involved. Remember you can call Crime Stoppers about this or any other felony crime or fugitive. In Indiana call toll free at 1 -800-342-STOP. A code number will be given and Crime Stoppers will not ask your name. Crime Stoppers does not have Caller ID. Crime Stoppers it works!

YEARS AGO Workers quit after refused raise 120 YEARS AGO MAY 25, 1882 Nappanee Market Report...butter 16 9 per pound: eggs, 14c dozen; ham 12c pound; beans $3.25 bushel; potatoes SI.OO bushel; live chicks 6c pound; green apples 90c bushel. 100 YEARS AGO MAY 21, 1902 i At Elkhart nine Lake Shore freight handlers quit work because they were refused 2-1/2C an hour raise (or 15c per hour). Their places were filled with new men at the rate of 12-1/2C per hour. Births—bom to the wife of Tol Fisher on May 17, twin daughters. Bom to the wife of Henry Hartman on May 16, a son. 75 YEARS AGO MAY 20, 1927 A benefit is planned to raise funds for the Nappanee Library Fund at the Methodist Episcopal Church on June 3 where a reading “Mary Jane's Pa” will be given by Miss Maude Willis, noted Chautauque and lyceum artist.

Comment & Opinion The staff of the Advance-News welcomes the viewpoints of readers on its editorial page. Publication of any letter will be at the discretion of the editor—letters containing personal attacks on individuals,’ libelous statements, or profanity, will not be published. Editing will be held to a minimum, and will not alter the intent of the letter. Please include your name, address and telephone number, so that your letter may be verified. Publication of name is required.

Continuous Publication Since 1879 Advance News Serving the Wa-See Community 158 W. Market St. Regional Publisher—Terri Dearth P.O. Box 230 Editor —Barb Reiser Nappanee. IN 46550 Reporter/Photograher—Mindy Abel 574-773-3127 Ad Rep—Bruce Hecklinski Fax: 574-773-3512 Regional News Dir.—Stacey Creasy Email: [email protected] Circulation Mgr—Chuck Eaton USPS 370960 Periodical Postage Paid In Nappanee, IN. 46550 PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS • Classified ads • Call Michiana Media Network at 1 -800-660-5580 to place an ad, or for classified billing questions, between Ba.m. and 5p.m., Monday through Friday. Deadline is Friday at noon. • Advertising • Call Bruce Hecklinski at 1-800-933-0356 for rate information or to place an ad. Deadline is Thursday at 3p.m. • Subscriptions • Annual subscription price (52 issues) is S2O in state and $25 out of state. To renew or start a new subscription mail payment to Advance News P.O. Box 230 Nappanee. IN. 46550. For delivery problems or billing questions call the Circulation Department at 1-800-933-0356. • News Items • Submit news items and photos via email or drop them off at I the Advance News office. Deadline is Monday noon. I For possible story ideas, contact 1 Barb Reiser or Mindy Abel at 773-3127.

50 YEARS AGO MAY 22, 1952 Rev. & Mrs. J. Milton Bowman announce the engagement of their daughter. Marguerite, to Charles Howard Kraft of Waterbury, Connecticut. Both are juniors at Wheaten Illinois College. Three persons were injured in a collision south of Nappanee on Friday. Those injured were Franklyn Deisch and Ronald and Mrs. Chase of Warsaw. 20 YEARS AGO MAY 26, 1982 Phil Lechlitner named NWHS basketball coach. Chosen from among six candidates. Todd Bear receives appointment tp Air Force Academy, will play basketball for Coach Hank Egan. David J. Engbrecht—Goodbye forever, 20s —hello 30s. Happy 30th. Principal Dick Strakowski took his turn in the dunk tank at last week’s Central-South PTO Fun Fair. (Note—lnformation for the 120100 and 75-years ago segments has been researched and posted by Margaret England ; Neff. The Advance-News staff wishes to thank her for her contribution to the column)

CNHI News Service/David Reddick® The Herald Bulletin david. reddickO herald bulletin .com

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"True love is never having to say you're sorry for being a cute, lazy, warm pile of dog."

Festival season brings ns together

It’s spring. And spring means every small town and city across America is gearing up for its own festival. Festivals are dedicated to a plethora of things. Animal, vegetable or mineral, they vary as much as the town in which they are held. The town where I live in Ohio will host its annual Spring Fling Festival this weekend. Complete with a queen and court, a parade, rides in the park, dancing on Main Street and food not ■ on anyone’s diet, it’s a hit every year. How’ it ' came to be the Spring Fling I’m not sure. I’ve never seen much dedication to spring or any flinging for that matter. Closer to home here, the town of Wakarusa begins a summer of activities in June surrounding its 150th anniversary. From reading the article in The Advance News, the doings they have planned

Take time to remember

By Barb Reiser rrlitnr Conor Memorial Day—a time for remembering. This coming weekend will offer families and individuals everywhere an extended holiday for doing whatever pleases them the most. For many, the weekend will be the first opportunity to take the camper out for a trial run, in preparation for the upcoming summer adventures. Of course, with the advent of the newer, more streamlined versions of RVs, camping isn’t really "roughing it” like we did when our youth group used to go camping. We took tents, if we were lucky enough to own them, and bedrolls made up of Mom's castaway blankets and pillows, an extra pair of jeans and sweatshirt and replacement tennis shoes, in case our first-choice got soaked. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, drank weak lemonade, swam and played cards—and thought we had the world by the tail. Our highlight was Don Sheets' famous campsite French toast —we've never found any other that could match it. Now the campers take flashy camp equipTHE LAST WORD...

By Laurie Lechfitner Matthew eyed the brightly wrapped gift from afar. It was his 12th birthday and he’d asked for a baseball glove. The package seemed much too large to contain a simple glove, but sometimes packages were deceiving. Maybe his parents put his glove in a large box to fool him. His mother had gone to the grocery store to purchase the makings for his cake. But before she left, she put him on his honor. He was not to touch his birthday gift. As a matter of fact, he was not even to walk close to it Matthew said to himself, “What harm would there be if I simply shook the present? Mom will never know the difference." His heart pounded vigorously as he edged closer and closer to the gift wrapped in masculine brown paper with a simple bow on the top. As he picked it up. he staggered under the weight. When he shook it the rattle didn’t sound like a baseball glove at all. He quickly put the present back on the table, leaving the scene of the crime for the safety of his chair by the fireplace.

Opinion

ment — from block-long traveling units that fill special campgrounds, to cook stoves that make the oven in my kitchen look like an antique. Let’s just say. those folks would never make it on "Survivor." And still, they have lots of fun. make many new friends, and enjoy special times with their families. Another Memorial Day adventure for us was an annual fishing trek to Syracuse Lake with my dad. for a try at snaring a four-inch bluegill. He spent his time untangling lines and baiting hooks for the five of us, and then watched with us as the guy who owned the dock we borrowed, stepped out and tapped the dock. The fish rushed to the water’s edge for his free handout of bread crumbs. Some fishermen we were! The extended weekend also offers time to prepare for graduation open house celebrations, finishing the job of planting flower gardens and getting in some vegetable plants, mowing the lawn, hosting a cookout, and, of course, watching the Indianapolis 500. This year. Nappanee and Wakarusa will have special interest in the parades at Indy, since the NWHS Red Regiment will be participating.

Perhaps if he ventured over one more time, he could attempt to unwrap an edge of the package and peek in. He just had to know what was in that present. He gingerly lifted the heavy gift from the table. Setting it on its side, he attempted to unwrap the outer edge of the package. However, in the process, the heavy parcel dropped onto the floor. Whatever was inside was breakable, for Matthew heard the crack of glass. "Oh no,” he said to himself as he lifted the gift from the floor. There was no outer evidence that he had dropped the package. But the inward damage was done. And even though it was a secret Matthew knew he was responsible. His family and friends all came bearing gifts that evening. As Matthew opened an awkwardly wrapped present, he was surprised to find the baseball glove he'd ordered. “Gee thanks. Uncle Ray," he said as his relative beamed. "Here’s a baseball to go with it” Uncle Ray told him as he produced the ball from a hiding place in the comer. A few of his friends simply

sound as if they will be very enjoyable. Wakarusa itself is a lovely place. Take advantage of this chance to get better acquainted with it. My husband, who is 10 years my senior, remembers the sesquicentennial of our town. He grew a beard as a college student and won the best beard contest. He grew the beard back some eighteen years

Terri Dearth I Regional Publisher

later, just before our son was bom. And he’s never shaved it. So Ross has never seen his Dad without the facial hair.

The gift

brought him cards. But they were funny and he laughed at the affection they showed. “I want to take a picture while you open your big gift,” Mother remarked with a smile. Matthew panicked. What would he do? What would he say? The present was damaged. He heard the loud crack earlier that day. His parents would know he’d tampered with it, wouldn’t they? Suddenly a plan began to form in his mind. He smiled as he opened the heavy gift sitting on the table, u was the large computer monitor he’d spotted in a catalogue. He’d never dreamed his parents would get it for him. “Let me help you open the box,” his father said as he brought in a kitchen knife to do the job. “Oh my gosh!” Matthew exclaimed as he surveyed the cracked screen of the monitor. "This one must have been on sale,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t believe this!” his father answered. I’m going to take this back the first chance I get. Imagine, trying to pawn off an inferior prod-

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I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the big festival in my hometown of Eaton, Ohio. Every September the Pork Festival takes place at the fairgrounds. Complete with a huge parade, a queen and her court, food not on anyone’s diet and rides, it too is a fun weekend. One event sets it apart from other that’s the pig races. Every hour six little set loose to see which one can run the (Rest around the track. And what is their reward Jot winning? An Oreb “cookieT** While large cities have their own festivals, it’s in the small towns of America where you get the best feel of who we are. Whether we auacjj,,the celebration to blueberries or maple pumpkins, it brings a community together,- as nothing else can. The funnel cakes alone aregpod enough reason to go! jf n

Bob and Greg Gessinger are probably twffibf Nappanee’s biggest “Indy” fans. They Have attended time trials, “Carburation Day” and 1 me big event for many years, and also take J *fn NASCAR races in Florida during the winter months. We’re not sure, but think Bob has tried tb interest granddaughter Cathleen in “the greate t spectacle in racing." You’ll have to ask him ho' / that venture is coming. With all the possibilities that the holiday offers, it is still a time for remembering—espt - daily those who have given their lives in ord< r that the rest of us may enjoy the holidays an 1 family events we treasure. Many persons will spend time decorating th: graves of veterans, friends and family menjjcs s who are gone—but not forgotten. And, hope fall ; persons throughout the community will takelltf ; to attend Nappanee’s parade and memorial je - vice Monday morning. If that isn’t posw| , please take a moment, wherever you arggp remember someone. mm And, while you are remembering — a deep breath of fresh air. and enjoy your holifty

uct on an innocent consumer. I’ n sorry son. I didn’t know it was br >- ken. I’d never taken it out qf tl ie box.” 11 Dad was true to his word. I ie went storming into the sto e demanding a replacement. Matthew did get his new, giai t, color monitor for his 12th birthdt y. And nobody was wise to the ft :t that the was responsible for t ie . damage. “I can’t understand it," his mot ler said a couple of weeks aft it Matthew’s birthday. “He used ;o play on the computer by the hoi r. But since we got him the new mo titor, he hardly touches it.” Dad smiled. “Isn't that just like a kid. Buy him a new toy and he go » back to playing the old fashion d way. He just left for the park wi h his new baseball and glove. (Note: Laurie Lechlitner is a minister and writer who resides t ' Elkhart. Those wishing to makt comments regarding her columi may address them to the Nappan e Advance-News, P.O. Box 230, Nappanee, Ind. 46550)