Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 125, Number 44, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 30 October 2002 — Page 4

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Advance News • Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Letters to the Editor

Thanks friends, family TO THE ADVANCE NEWS: We wish to thank you for all the beautiful cards, prayers, flowers, and hugs received as we recover from our loss of Al. The family appreciated all of your concerns and we know a lot of you will miss him too. Jeanette Van Dyke, Karen, Jane, Ann and David Once in a lifetime

TO THE ADVANCE NEWS: Accelerating at SO kilometers per hour, within 30 square feet, 200 motorcycles rage: no traffic laws, no police, no street signs, no direction, and in the middle lies a 6-way intersection—except there are no lanes—and there I sit: riding on the back of an infamous Vietnamese cyclo. No helmet, no control; solely adrenaline. My mother concludes each phone call home with, “Now, Walt, don’t do anything stupid.” And my response echoes the same each time, “Mom, whenever have I done something stupid?” When in Rome, do as Romans do. Vietnam: a land tom by war. dictated by communism, and fueled by Dong, yet dominated by poverty. Their lives are so simple. They remind me of the Amish with one exception: the lack of electricity, the absence of cars, and their primitive machinery are not due to religious practice, but rather inconceivable poverty. Average yearly salaries may reach as much as S4OOO if they have fortunate occupations. It blows my mind. The American dollar goes so far here. Business suits, elegant dresses, leather coats, everything you can image—all made for a fraction of the cost back home. Piracy is everywhere: CDs for 50 cents, DVDs for a buck, and books for mere pennies. Calcium is non-existent, rice is everywhere, but the food is incredible. A local waiter determined it would be easier to show me the back kitchen and sample each dish rather than attempt to translate the lengthy menu. I consumed a - course meal for $3.87. It was incredible. I ate there 3 times. I rented a motorcycle and a driver for 5 hours for $5. I explored Saigon to its fullest. I ventured far outside the city to discover the agriculture wonders of Vietnam. Rice paddies, dirt roads, straw shacks, and wild animals were everywhere. As I photographed a distant field, a small child approached, not in request of money, but simply in wonder. I was invited into his home—some 200 square feet no rtiffs, providing housing for six. They offered me ice water, two commodities incredibly precious to them, yet I had to refuse for fear of sickness. I felt terrible. Those that have nothing, offering anything to he who has everything. How humbling. Crossing the road here is similar to the reality version of the Atari videogame. Frogger. Everything my parents taught me about looking both directions, crossing at an intersection, and yielding to vehicles is completely obsolete.

Recycling bins available The recycling drop-off stations for Nappanee and Wakarusa are located as follows: Nappanee—the parking lot at Martin's Super Market (east end), just off US6 East. Wakarusa —CRIO3. The recycling stations, which include cardboard, newspapers, glass, plastic, aluminum and tin, are monitored by the Elkhart County Solid Waste Management. Questions may be directed to Timothy Neese, 574-293-2269. 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 Keiser 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 Powage 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 the Advance News office. Deadline is Monday noon. For possible story ideas, contact Barb Keiser or Mindy Abel at 773-3127. —_ . , « » _ _m%. a- Jr. *-» - .j. «.: j .» Isc Advance news is pan of ivuciitanai meuva nctwuiK, winci* inctuucs uic following puviicafioM! allot iicws (riymoum ), uotirDon ivew»*MU«oi, vuivcr Citizen. The Bremen Enquirer. The Lexter (Knox) and the Penny Saver.

Here you walk. You do not alter pace. You feel the rush of motorcycles, cars, and rickshaws within inches: in front and behind. Any hesitation or change of direction would ultimately lead to a mass collision far greater than anything in the US. It is the way of life here. I attended mass at the Vietnamese Notre Dame Cathedral. I participated in a Cao Dai service. The same temples I journey to photograph, others worship. I was in awe. I crawled through the Cu Chi Tunnels. I saw the death traps. I narrowly avoided the bats, but wasn’t so lucky with the mud. Ever army-crawled through a two-foot by two-foot tunnel in absolute darkness? Try it. It is quite an experience. I sit in our pre-port lecture and listen as a man depicts his tour of duty in Vietnam through vivid imagery. I must remain tough. Others display the emotions that I cannot. This is no longer a history lesson learned in a book from 10,000 miles away this is history firsthand, from the mouth of the horse, on the land he walked. It is powerful to the extreme. Those who are naive ask how could such a world power lose a war like this. No book, magazine article, or photograph could every fully describe to you the terrain of Saigon: tropical jungles, malariaridden mosquitoes, a 100-mile network of tunnels and death traps, blistering temperatures, and eternal humidity. When you come, you see. We lost a war some- believe we should never have been in. They 'won a war in which they had nothing to lose. We lost 58,000 men. They lost 3 million. We read each day the local newspapers, as they inform us of increasing tensions in the Middle East. Some are fear stricken. Yet, 1 feel safe, as I trust I am in good hands. There is no purpose to worry: lmade this choice long ago. I now must rely solely on this trust and a bit of good fortune. Each day I wake, reminiscing the past, eagerly anticipating the future, but loving the present. Until next time, Walt (Note—NorthWood High School graduate Walt Fales continues his "semester at sea” adventure. Fales is the son of Bill and Beverly Fales, Nappanee). _

JMW! urn ISff

A life extended, in the blink of an eye

It was intended to be a week of frivolity leading up to a most auspicious occasion. I left Indiana Friday morning the 11th heading home for a long week culminating in the wedding of our oldest daughter: We had plans for the big game that night, for our team a “must win” to clinch a playoff berth. The rest of the days would be lackadaisical until the Thursday prior to the big day when dinners and hair dressers would fill the hours. But then as I’ve found so many times in life the best-laid plans can blow up in an instant. Twenty-five miles from reaching my destination, a car turned left in front of me. I had nowhere to go but either into oncoming traffic or into the turning vehicle. I chose the latter and heard the sickening sound of exploding metal and air bags deploying upon impact. I was chug from my smoking car to a grassy spot out of danger where we waited for EMTs and police officers. Miraculously, no one was severely injured. The same could not be said for my car. Still in the shop today awaiting a decision with damages already in the five- digit range, it did its job. The air bag hurt and caused some hefty contusions and bruises, but a much better alternative than headfirst into the windshield. The seat belt, which locked in place from the force, left a nasty bum but also performed as needed. I pulled some tendons in my legs slamming on the brakes and am still getting around slowly, but the important point is I’m here. Your life really does flash before you in a situation such as this.

Halloween —a time to enjoy

by Barb Keiser editor 'Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat.” I don’t believe we said that! This week’s celebration of Halloween will mean different things to different folks. As evidenced by the TP-ing that has already taken place throughout the Wa-Nee community, for some it means stocking up on toilet paper at the best prices around, going out late at night, and seeing who has the best throwing arm. There are some potential quarterbacks out running around when they should be playing football! We used to think we were really being ornery when we drew a quick sketch on someone’s house or car window with soap and then ran like heck (hey, it’s a family newspaper!) to keep from getting caught. Now the arsenal includes eggs and spray paint. Not a good thing. Does anyone else remember the great Halloween parties we used to throw at Central School in Nappanee? The fun began early in the evening, when hot dogs, barbecues and trimmings were served from the school cafeteria. That was followed by cake walks, games for prizes, costume judging and class variety shows. I think there was also a haunted house of sorts.

Methodists construct new building

by Barb Keiser Editor (Note —this year, the community of Wakarusa is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The following history items about Wakarusa are collected, with permission, from the book “History and Memoirs of Wakarusa." as researched by the late Jerry L. Miller, former Wakarusa Postmaster, and compiled by Dean Garber, a director of the Wakarusa Historical Society. The Advance-News plans to reprint interesting items, with notations, from the book throughout the Sesquicentennial celebration) By 1870, there were three church buildings in Wakarusa. The Lutherans had erected their build-

Years Ago... fleeced underwear creating talk

120 YEARS AGO NOVEMBER 2, 1882 The nut crop is a failure. The president has fixed the 30th day of November for Thanksgiving Day. 100 YEARS AGO OCTOBER 29, 1902 Josephus Neff of Neff Brothers Farm Implements will have a public sale at is residence three miles north and two miles west of Nappanee. There will be a large number of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep sold. AD: Sanitary fleeced underwear at Rosbrugh’s & Green's is creating so much talk. Will not curl when washed. Price, only 43 cents. 75 YEARS AGO OCTOBER 27, 1927

Opinion

I could only think of how cheated I would be if I never saw my son throw another touchdown pass, didn't witness my husband walk our daughter down the isle or hold my first granddaughter. And then, when I was sitting on that grassy knoll with the sun beating on my face, I realized how truly fortunate I was. Once home and rested. I decided to go to the

football game. It was Parents Night and I wanted to be there to walk across the field with my player. As we rose to go. I reminded him that tie needed to take it even slower than normal as I wasn’t moving too well. We made it and that kiss on the cheek made it all worthwhile. We went to the locker room at halftime leading 12-7. It’d been a rough half and my son had suffered his share of sacks. Nothing happened in the third quarter. Eight minutes into the last one, a running back on the other team broke free and scored. The extra point made it 13-12, but we had plenty of time to score again. It never happened. We just couldn’t pull it together.

but I was never brave enough to go through it. Actually, I’ve always been a “fraidy cat.” One year 1 went with my sister to take her kids through the haunted house at the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis. I made sure they kept hold of my hand all the way through! And I’m one of those who doesn't enjoy scary movies—if I’m forced to try it, I watch what I can handle with my hands over my eyes. I can’t even watch “Fear Factor” when contestants are required to eat those slimy, sticky, horrible “things.” Guess in these cases, you would have to call me the "weakest link!” We went trick-or-treating in the days when you didn’t have to worry about having your treats x-rayed at a nearby health facility. We went door-to-door, and always remembered the places where they gave you regular-sized candy bars, gum and other special treats. None of those minibars or apples for us! My grandma used to give nickles—-her house was one of the most popular places on the block. Would kids today be satisfied with nickels? Probably not —that’s inflation: There was one place in our neighborhood where the woman came to the door to talk nice to the costumed beggers—while her husband made his way out the back door and came around the comer of the house with the hose, spraying water

ing in 1866, the Baptists in 1867 and the Christian Church in 1870. Because of the rapid building of these three churches, the Methodists began making plans for their own church, as they had been holding their services for the past 20 years in the school house. Under the leadership of Rev. J.B. Starkey, the congregation pledged to raise the necessary $3,000, and by spring, $1,600 was raised. A lot was purchased from David and Mary Pletcher for $l6O, with the deed recorded May 30, 1872. Bids were received for the building, and the contract was given to J.W. Kronk. at a cost of $2,025. Subscriptions lagged and work progresses slowly. Then it stopped completely, because of

The fourth birthday celebration of the Womans BPW Club will be held at Coppes Hotel Monday. A 10-room brick farmhouse of Oliver Smith, six miles northeast of Nappanee, was razed by fire Tuesday when Mr. Smith was heating pitch on a cookstove and it caught fire. The 40-year-old house was built in 1887 and considered one of the finest in Union Twp. and was not insured. Mr. Smith is still in the Price Hospital in serious condition. A Wysong baby in the house was rescued by a neighbor, Abe Brundage, who broke a window. 50 YEARS AGO OCTOBER 30, 1952 Snowy weather Tuesday caused two accidents. Helen Huff collided with Mrs. Virgil Stump while attempting to turn into Rensberger Service Station, and Gordon Pfeiffer, route 3 and

Bom My Perspective By Terri Dearth

On the second-to-last play of the game, I saw Ross take a hit that shook me to my very coni'. He got up and, with seconds to go threw a'. Hail Mary pass right into the waiting arms of the opposing defense. ' ' And that was the game. Over on the sidelines, my son was out cold. ' The emergency squad was called and off to the hospital they went. After several hours, various X-rays and a CAT 1 scan it was determined that he’d sustained a pret- 1 ty significant concussion. He had no recollection' 1 of the last play when he threw the interception! He didn’t remember throwing the ball or coming off the field. He only remembered the ambulance'.’ ride. After much debate and more doctors’ visits it' was decided that he would not play the neift game. A smart decision, but a hard one for a old to understand. The wedding took place last Saturday as" planned. The weather cooperated and they said! do outside in a lovely gazebo just as the sun was' setting. t . At the reception, as I watched our son dance! with his now-married sister, I thought about hoty - very lucky I was. I will see the QB throw another ball tonight.' ‘ I did see my husband walk that beautiful creature down the isle and I’ll be around when that little one comes into the world in a few months. Life is short. But, in a blink of an eye, mine became infinitely longer. , ,

on everyone and yelling at us to get out of hi£’’ yard. Not nice folks! J . “ And we wore home-made costumes. jeans, sloppy sweatshirts, straw hats, bandanas, boots, paper sack masks, etc. The cost of some of j today’s costumes would by a book for a freshman • college student for one of their classes! Nappanee Civic Theatre continues the final i season at the haunted farm this weekend. Many j folks from here and around the area have enjoyed i coming back year after year, to enjoy the wild and i strange activities scheduled at the Derksen Farm j house and grounds. It has all been good, clean i fun, complete with hay rides from the Martin’s J parking lot to the farm. The house will soon be gone—making way j for golf course improvements. But the resource- : ful folks at NCT will find another spot —watch i out! I think it has been extra thoughtful of the i group to offer a one-night, “lights-on” preview of j the haunted farm, for the benefit of those of uswho aren’t very brave. Thanks. Enjoy this week's trick-or-treat hours, and tljj: special harvest parties being offered in both Nappanee and Wakarusa communities. Please# observe the common-sense safety rules and regu-J lations, wear masks that are easy to see through,* stay out of the streets, etc. Enjoy—wooooooo—eeeeee—oooowwww!! f

the 1873 recession. Beginning in 1874, the church was sufficiently completed to begin having services there, and on June 7, 1874, the ing was dedicated. Later, with a new building in place, the qlcs building was sold for S2OO, and moved to what 1 is* now the Silas Troxel farm, south of where it is still used as a bam. The old pews were* sold to Madison Chapel for $75. Iff 1969, the United Missionary Church* merged with the Missionary Church Associations and the name was changed to the Church. In 1975, the old church was taken down* and construction began on a new brick building. * (...to be continued...)

Ralph Green collided at the intersection tjfi Hartman and East Market Streets. ! C.W. Johnson was surprised by family mem-j bers to celebrate his 93rd birthday. 20 YEARS AGO NOVEMBER 3, 1952 Smokey Stovers in pe-dawn rescue. Firemen; save canine from put at 301 S. Nappanee Street. < Fairmont Homes to construct new airport ter-* minal at bargain price of $20,000 to city. (Note —Information for the 120-100 and ago segments has been researched and posted by* Margaret England-Neff. Ths Advance-News stafij wishes to thank her for her contribution to the cqM umn)