Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 125, Number 46, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 13 November 2002 — Page 4

Page 4

Advance News • Wednesday, November 13, 2002

tetters to the Editor Appreciate generosity TO THE ADVANCE NEWS: On August 2, a member of our community was seriously injured in an automobile accident. This man is a dear friend and we were terrified as he barely hung on to life for the first several days. When he begun to slowly show signs of recovery is when reality set in. His:children needed cared for as well as his house, finances and dog. Every aspect of this man's life needed our attention while he struggled for weeks in the hospital to breathe on his own and be able to walk again. There were factors that complicated his situation, which included having no health insurance and no family members in die area for support The wonderful community we live in came to his rescue. The kindness of people was overwhelming. We would love to name all who opened their hearts and helped in one way or another but would need to take out an entire page to do so. God bless those of you who gave your time, talents and money expecting nothing in return. Robert South said, “If there be any truer measure of man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives,” Your generosity has made the difference in the life of this family. The difference between having a home or losing a home, having a job or losing a job, eating or going hungry, happiness or sadness, hopefulness or despair. Whether you are an individual, family, church, organization or business that reaches out to those in need, you are a very special part of this community that remains a beacon of light in a sometimes dark world. We are so fortunate to be part of a community that always cares when people are hurting even when it is someone we may not know personally. Just three months after a life threatening accident, Alex Villa is walking, working and caring for his children. This would not be possible without the incredible people in this community. Sincerely, Friends of Alex Villa Thank an educator TO THE ADVANCE-NEWS: November 17-23 will mark the 81st annual observance of American Education Week—a time for saluting our public schools and the relationships between teachers, students and parents. The theme for this year’s celebration, “Making Public Schools Great for Every Child!” reflects our combined commitment to all students. The interaction between children, parents and teachers cannot be underplayed. If the partnership between teacher and parent is strong, the child's chances of success skyrocket Today’s teachers do more than teach basic skills. They nurture and inspire children. They help children learn essential skills not always measured in testing, such as critical thinking, conflict resolution, cooperation and problem solving. These are skills to help each student throughout life. However, you and I know that no school is without problems. There is always something needing improvement. That’s why each building in the Wa-Nee Community School District has a three-year improvement plan that has been approved by the state of Indiana, the Wa-Nee School Board, WaNee parents and the Wa-Nee Education Association. These plans are already being implemented and will continually be updated, to meet the needs of the Wa-Nee community and the students. Parents, if you didn’t get the chance to attend your child’s conference, I invite you to visit your child’s classroom and leam for yourself how you and the teacher can work together. If you do not have children, please consider visiting your nearest public school and see today’s educators in action. Do consider asking how you can contribute to a child's success. We’ll be glad to advise. Thank you for taking time to read this letter. I’m proud to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students I teach. James C. Mattem Vice-President Jpfa-Nee Education Association Once in a lifetime TO THE ADVANCE NEWS: Aggressive wild monkeys flanking, armed military guards halting, my heart racing. No tourists. No sign of Western life. This is Malaysia. It is a place where sultans reign and Islam rules. It is a place where some of the most amazing beaches in the world are found. It is a place where incredible jungles crave to be explored. But here, beauty comes with a price. No more than two weeks ago, the United States government issued an advisory warning to the people of America: Do Not Travel to the Country of Malaysia Due to Increased Terrorist Activity. Yet, here we are, in the middle of one the densest Muslim populations in the world. To compound the issue further, we have entered this magnificent land amidst a powerful and extremely controversial speech by our leader the resolution for war against Iraq. We face an unknown land and unknown opposition against what is perceived to be American. The state of Islam: the most terrifying practice in the world today for those who do not understand. They are those few who set the mood of a nation: a nation unrest, in seek of revenge, but in constant fear. It is this same fear that evolves into more than just a fear. As best stated by one of the greatest literary heroes of all time. Yoga,” I sense much fear. Fear leads to Anger. Anger leads to Hate. Hate leads to Suffering.” It is this same fear that no one can afford. Those who do not understand cannot comprehend that few of this faith believe in what America has come to know as Muslim. Islam is a peaceful faith practicing nonviolence, serving the good of the people. However, there are those select few who misinterpret the meaning of Jihad-spiritual warfare—and take matters into their own hands. These fundamentalists believe in a “do or die” philosophy, and they are Please turn to page 8 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 158 W. Market St. Regional Publisher—Terri Dearth P.O. Box 230 Regional News Dir.—Stacey Creasy Nappanee, IN 46550 Editor—Barb Reiser 574-773-3127 Reporter/Photograher—Mindy Abel Fax:s74-773-3512 Ad Rep—Bruce Hecklinski Email: [email protected] Circulation Mgr—Chuck Eaton I USPS 370960 Periodical Postage Paid In ffi. 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 Reiser or Mindy Abel at 773-3127. Cnoen. The Bremen Enqmrer. The Leader (Knox) and the Penny Saver |

Modem moms online before they are moms

. The norm used to be that you registered at different retail establishments when you were planning to be married. The new norm is registering at different retail establishments when you are expecting. In a discussion last weekend with my growing-bigger-by-the-day daughter about the latest aches and pains of her pegnancy, she mentioned that if I was unsure of what to buy the little one for Christmas or the upcoming baby showers I could log onto babiesrus.com and check out her registry list. Her registry list? She and the soon-to-be daddy had spent an afternoon in early October picking out all of the essentials they would need for their new arrival. And

Oh baby—the adventure begins!

By Mindy Abel, Stuff Reporter On September 17, our lives began to change forever. I had lost the big bulging belly I was carrying around after delivering our 9 pound baby, Bryce. My husband, Chris and I thought we were somewhat prepared for what was coming. I had read books, taken care of my niece when she was a baby and babysat in high school (including an infant), and Chris had taken care of his little brother and sisters. What we weren’t prepared for was the first diaper changing experience right after he was bom. Bryce earned the name “Sir Poops-A-Lot” from his grandpa and dad. It took both me and his dad to change him on one occasion at the hospital. It was kind of like the Energizer Bunny—he just kept going, and going, and going... 1 also tried breastfeeding, which is supposed to be an awesome opportunity to bond with your baby, and also know he’s getting the nutrients he

Is there tarnish on that gold?

by Barb Reiser Editor Exactly WHEN DO the “golden years” begin? Is it at age 62 or 65, when one retires? Is it 70, 80 or beyond? Is it as a teen, in the 20s, or 30s, or 40s, when bodies are still pretty healthy? Are there really golden years? Lately, I’ve heard a number of retired persons state, “So much for the golden years!” Perhaps they’re not feeling well, or they’ve lost someone they thought would be spending those golden years with them, or their stocks are tumbling, or their insurance isn’t paying as much toward mounting medical bills and prescriptions as they thought it would. The list could go on and on. Property and personal taxes are mounting, and now the Indiana sales tax is even going up. OK—it’s only one percent —but we think WE might as well have that extra cent or two as the government. After all, just a few years back, Indiana had all kinds of extra money—where did it go? As we enter our 50s and 60s, it seems that the talk at gatherings seems to center more and more on aches and pains, and how tired we are and how many doctors we are seeing, and the fact that we fall asleep in our chairs—sometimes even before the news is over! No wonder the younger folks don’t want to be around us—we can certainly be depressing! For sure, as we age a bit, the doctor’s office seems to become a fairly regular stop for us. Let’s take a look at what THEY are doing to cheer us up. Notice the music. It’s soft and soothing, playing in the background while we wait to be called

Dates important in Wakarusa history

by Barb Reiser 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) Miller’s book includes a list of important dates to the Wakarusa community. This week, the column continues to recall those dates, as the book and this celebrative year nears its end. Please enjoy the review of Wakarusa “Dates to Remember,” and for further reference, see Helen Klein for your own copy of the book. Last week's column reviewed important dates from 1852-1878. 1881—Dr. A.S. Sensenich joins Dr. Montgomery in practice.

Opinion

they were encouraging all family members and friends to use the list to guide them in their gift buying.

Pirn My 'H Peispedivemm By Terri Dearth HE Regional PubHshef^Bi

When did the purchase of crib sheets take on the same weight as china patterns? I decided just for fun to log on and check out the list. I came away from the experience somewhat amused. These two, young, soon-to-be parents were under the impression that there were actually family and friends ready and willing to

needs. Sure, breast milk may be “liquid gold” for some mothers, but after we got home it just wasn’t working out. One night I got so frustrated I burst into tears. I felt like I was cheating him out of something wonderful. After a talk with my husband, we both finally decided that formula was just as good. It’s soooo much easier! Formula is a lifesaver for us, but it also includes smellier diapers and the emergency change of clothes after a projectile “spit up” when you’re late for an event I’m sure most parents know what I’m talking about. Bathtime is a riot! Well, for him it’s not that fun right now, but getting him ready has us rolling with laughter. All the parents who have boys know what I’m talking about. We set up a baby bathtub in our kitchen sink and after we get him in it he springs a fountain across the counter. Bryce is almost two-months-old now and it’s amazing how different he looks every week. He’s

into that smaller waiting room. There are magazines, sometimes a coffee comer, and of course the usual pamphlets, telling us how to become more healthy. Toys and books for the kids are only slightly raggedy. Other patients may appreciate exchanging a smile or “nice weather” statement but usually there isn't an overabundance of chatter. Each focuses on his/her own thoughts. We recently noticed one nice new office that even sports a mini-water fountain cascading down the wall. Nice. Hearing that water run while you wait is sure to help along any “sample” you might be asked to produce! On the way to the next “waiting room,” we approach the dreaded scales (reminding us that we didn’t watch our diet as closely as we should have since the last visit to the doctor). We have blood pressure taken, and some of us go through blood tests for an assorted number of checks and balances. While we wait to see the doctor, we count the ceiling tiles, patterns in the wallpaper, check out the doc’s credentials, which have been framed and hung on the walls (to make us feel more secure?). When visits, tests, reports, checks, surgeries, recoveries, treatments, rehabilitation, etc. are over, the bills begin coming through. Every step you took along the way is billed separately. Why? It seems that all the bills could be gathered together, one big bill sent, and the doctors, lab workers, surgeons and so on could get together and take out their chunk of the insurance check. Sorry about that —it just isn’t happening. Kind of like when you have to sit down and fill out your life history—over and over again, all the way along the line. Don’t those offices have FAX machines or e-mail? Couldn’t they share

1882—Henry Holdeman supplies town with milk. 1886—John Walters engaged in hardware business. 1889 — Daniel Doering becomes apprentice at Newcomers, then partners. 1890— Exchange Bank established. 1890 —Company formed to build town pond. 1893—Anthony Lechlitner builds hotel. 1893 —N.E. Yoder enters hardware business with Messick & Lea therm an. 1893—Alpha Culp becomes connected with Schafer & Mishler Lumber company. 1893—Wakarusa Tribune founded by J.R. Rheu bottom. 1893—Last Holderman School built 1893 Edward Leinhart established undertaking business. 1894 Jacob Weldy takes over grocery store. 1894—A.8. & N.B. Yoder purchase interest in hardware store. 1894—Abe Bauer becomes auctioneer. 1894 Wakarusa School built. 1895 Wakarusa Church of the Brethren built.

purchase items with a value way beyond a package of diapers! On the list, among MANY other things, was a crib, a mattress, a top-of-the-line stroller, some seat that constantly bounces, a swing that is bat-tery-powered and sings to the infant and all of the wallpaper and border in the Noah’s Ark theme they’ve chosen. While I’m sure that there will be one or two showers for the new baby, I’m a little confused about the inference that we’ll be buying Christmas gifts for someone who will attend all of the holiday festivities, but won’t actually be seen. While online that evening, I decided to do a search for

unique baby clothes. And up popped a website entitled babystyle.com. I clicked on it and the most adorable baby popped up inviting me to check out something called lit-, tleme.com. So I did. I selected the little girl section and I was hooked. An hour later I’d chosen five outfits that were the cutest things I’d ever; seen. , Yeah, I know. They’re not on! the preferred list at the preferred retail establishment. My bet is the moment the mother-to-be takes one look at them she’ll forget all about that battery-operated bouncing seat!

eating cereal and vegetables, beginning to sleep all night and smiling at us more than ever, (now it’s not gash-He even grabbed his toes the other night—what a milestone in his little life! Having Btyce in our lives may have changed our lifestyle completely. So what if we have to bundle Run up in his car seat every time we go somewhere, lose sleep at night because he’s hun- • gry or have to change his clothes three times a day because his diaper leaks. We wouldn’t change a thing because then we wouldn’t get to see his smiles, sing him to sleep or experience all of the great memories we will share with him in the future. We’ve learned that being new parents isn’t too hard, it just involves more responsibility, more luggage, more laundry, more money and more groceries. But the best part is giving him time and love, and in return receiving the joy and happiness in raising our precious child...and more to. come!

those forms? Are they trying to catch us in a mistake—or lie? File cabinets and computer disks must be full to running over with duplicate reports on patients, and all of those copies of our insurance cards. Checks and more bills cross in the nfeil. You get waming/collection letters about bills that have already been paid. You send a check only to have it returned later because the insurance company sent a duplicate payment. Then you get another bill because someone forgot to update their records. If you are healthy enough that you don’t need to see a doctor except for that once a year checkup—for su?b you should say “thank you for good health.” If you have a good insurance company that pays the major portion of your bills—be sure to express your gratitude. If you have family and friends who offer you their support and visits when you are feeling bad, or facing the unknown—take time to show your appreciation. In the meantime, focus on the positives in your life (oh, come on now, surely you can find a few!). The experts (don’t ask me who they are), say it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown. Try to walk a bit each day—even if it hurts. Moving those muscles will help you to keep joints from becoming stiff. So when are the “Golden Years?” Probably whenever you want them to be. In the long run, YOU and your “Higher Power” are the ones controlling your life and your attitude. Will you join me in trying REAL HARD to focus on the positives? End of sermon.

1895 Wakarusa Milling & Elevator Company established. 1896 Daniel Doering established jewelry business. 1896 Abe Bauer, David Wenger & J.H. Loucks bought W.T. Fidler establishment—dealers in vehicles & wagons—becomes Bauer & Wenger Company. 1897 Bauer & Loucks buy out Wenger—becomes Bauer & Loucks. 1897 A.C. Lehman goes into buggy and bicycle busirwss. 1898— Wakarusa incorporated. 1899 Frank Brown enters law practice. 1900— N.B. Yoder starts undertaking business in hardware store. 1900—Abe Bauer becomes traveling salesman for Doering Harvester Company. 1900— Jacob Welty changes mill names to Wakarusa Milling Company. 1901— Abe Bauer begins business handling vehicles and harness. 1901—Wakarusa Telephone Exchange established. (next week—l9o2-1951)