Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 125, Number 49, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 4 December 2002 — Page 4

Page 4

Advance News * Wednesday. December 4, 2002

Elkhart poet recalls old-time Wakarusa

This year the community of Wakarusa is celebrating its 150 h 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 has been reprinting interesting items, with notations, from the book throughout die Sesquicentennial celebration. Lets go back to Wakarusa The town we used to know, And see the new improvements Since the days of long ago Yes the old home towns a memory A memory fond and dear Yet the old home town is changing Wider, broader every year Wider? Yes it’s growing bigger Building out in every way. Broader? Yes it’s growing broader Solving problems of die day Time was when the streets were narrow Cordioyed or muddy deep But today there are iles of pavement With the roadsides clean and neat Park is built where once was hog pong Skeeters teeming all around But today a spot of beauty Rest and comfort there is found The old pump has seen its day How the handle used to squeak But now we have our burning thirst At a fountain pure and sweet

Use caution when buying a used ear

If you are in the market to buy a used car, READ THIS before you purchase ANYTHING! These tips could help you get the best deal possible. For some people, buying a car is one of the most important purchases they will make in their lifetime. Getting a good deal is important, but it is also important to remember to do some homework to avoid being taken advantage of.

Guest Commentary Steve Garter iwAm Attorney General

Here are some guidelines that can help you make a more informed decision. •Once you choose a car, have it inspected by an independent mechanic before purchasing •Research the price of the car and compare the price to other similarly priced cars •Be sure to get a written contract - with all agreed upon terms in writing •Ask and understand all warranties if available •Discuss trade-ins only after you’ve negotiated the best possible price of the car you select, and only after you’ve researched the value of your old car

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following publications: Pilot News (Plymouth), Bourbon News-Mirror, Calver

Yes, the sidewalks they are creaky. Stores were dark and very small, Now the walks are wide and roomy, Business houses light and tall But the old town had its virtues Courage bom in every heart, And today its active progress Owes its push from early start Those woe times when study home folks Did the very best they knew Under all die Hying features They were men of courage true. Now their voices hushed and silent But their works are living on. And today we reap the harvest Of the labors they begun Yes the old home town’s a memory A memory fond and sweet But the old town is changing At a pace that’s hard to beat What makes the old town so modem? With its ideas new and so complete It’s the everlasting pushing Of the good old weekly sheet Yes, the Tribune is the factor Plus the spirit of the town That keeps the buig amoving striving, thus for a civic crown Yes, let’s go back to Wakarusa The town we used to know To the Home Coming Festival If it’s just a day or so. (Next weet..Wakarusa’s musical talent...)

•Test drive the car, including highway, street and stop and go traffic •Ask to inspect the car’s title, pay attention to the mileage •If you are purchasing the car from a dealer and they do not have the title on hand, make sure to get an affidavit stating who has the title and that they will provide it within 21 days •Before purchasing, it is smart to obtain the vehicle identification number and research the vehicle’s history with one of the various title data/history services available You have the choice of financing your car over time or paying in full. Paying the car in full should save you money in the long run, but many people don’t have that option. If you decide to finance the car over time, make sure you understand the terms of financing. •Know the exact price of the car, the amount being financed and the total finance charge •Research low interest rate loans •Get other quotes from banks, dealers and loan providers •Don’t sign a contract if there are blank spaces or if the terms have changed No matter the type, model or year, a car is a major purchase. Before you purchase, make sure you research your options on prices and financing to help you make an informed and educated decision.

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Thanksgiving call not appreciated

I’ve spent this week at home in Ohio wrapping gifts, enjoying Thanksgiving with my family, marveling at how big my daughter’s tummy is getting and, oh yes, answering the phone non stop. The phone began ringing at 8 a.m. Monday morning. On the other end was a gentleman, barely discemable, selling replacement windows. He asked to speak to Mrs. Darth. This is always a clue right away that the person is not someone with whom you desire to converse. I corrected him explaining our last name is Dearth, earth with a d on the front of it. That thoroughly confused him so I told him we’d already replaced our windows and weren’t interested. We’d done this more than 20 years ago, and they don’t appear to me to need updating. At 9:05 a.m. AT&T called to tell me that I’d changed my long-distance carrier. They seemed incredulous that I would do such a thing and had a great offer to get me back. When I told them this was the third time in the past seven days they'd called with their great offer and had already been told twice by my husband that it wasn't such a great offer, they became quite pushy. So I told them to take us off their call list. It’s never worked before so I doubt if it will work now, but at least they hung up.

Getting things straightened out

Carman took a deep breath and advanced up the steps to her neighbor’s ranch-style home. She wanted to clear her conscience and make things right between herself and the woman who had always thought she was her best friend. “Hello,” Cheryl said when she answered the door. “Am I glad to see you. I can't wait to show you my new wallpaper pattern.” “I have something to discuss with you,” Carman said as she walked to the living room without even unzipping her coat. “I believe you should sit down.” Cheryl sat down with a nervous expression on her usual calm face. “Please tell me what’s troubling you,” she asked Carman. “I believe that we should tell a person when we have something against them and I want to clear the air,” Carman continued. As far as Cheryl was concerned, the air was perfect. “The Bible says if we have something against our brother or sister, we should go to them,” Carman shared. “Well, I have several grievances I’d like to air.” . “Please tell me,” said Cheryl. “Your friendship means the world to me.” “Well, for one thing, I have never liked the way you’ve always taken your own son’s side against my boy. Wien the two of them played in the sandbox and Richie threw sand on my Harold,

Years Ago

120 YEARS AGO; DEC. 7, 1882 Mrs. Elizabeth Cart residing in Union Twp enjoyed a very agreeable surprise the 16th of Nov., it being her 80th birthday. 25 erf her friends and relatives presented themselves at her door, laden with good things for a lunch and presents. Considerable feeling has been worked up in this place by the temperance people in regard to the establishment of 2 more saloons, one by Stephen Miller and the other by F.A. Ganka. Signed petitions (278 in all) make it clear we want no more saloons. 100 YEARS AGO; DEC. 3,1902 The oil well on the Jacob Davidhizar farm, adjoining Wakarusa on the west, continues to be a source of contention. The charge made that the well is a fake and that oil was poured in is not to be believed. Several barrels have been taken out and officers of the St Joseph Valley Oil, Gas & Mining Co. have signed the statement that this is a genuine well. Fire put out at the John Richmond house Monday at 11 a.m. Damage mainly to the roof.

Opinion Page Policy

The Opinion page of the Advance News is intended to serve as a public forum to address issues of concern to Nappanee and Wakarusa area residents from vari-

Opinion

you always told my son to go home without punishing your own son.” “Well, I could drop Richie a note at the university and scold him,” Cheryl said with a chuckle. “You’re not taking these things seriously!” Carman exclaimed. “Another thing, when your husband mows the lawn, he always throws grass

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clippings in our yard. 1 never understood why he didn’t use his grass sweeper to pick them up instead of cluttering other people’s property with them.” Cheryl watched the snow fall from the sky and wondered why Carman never said anything the past summer. “I’ll have to speak to him about it when the weather clears," she remarked. “Another thing,” Carman shared after she came up for air, “you got that new car and bragged about it for months when we couldn’t afford a new

ous viewpoints. Readers are welcome to submit letters or guest commentaries regarding community topics. To be considered for publication.

While working Tuesday morning, the phone rang at 10:30 a.m. This guy was sure he had the lowest interest rate in the world and we’d be crazy to pass up re-mortgaging our house. I explained we’d done this more than six months ago and were not doing it again. To which he

■ From My Perspective Terri Dearth Regional Publisher

responded that his research told tum my-husbandl- - I were college graduates and wduld never be stupid enough, yes (ie used the word stupid, to turn down such an obvious win-win opportunity. I told him that it was a shame his research hadn't also told him to NEVER refer to people as stupid. And I WAS stupid. Just stupid enough to hang up on anyone referring to me as such. Wednesday brought more mortgage calls, one life insurance solicitor and two additional long-

75 YEARS AGO; DEC. 24,1927 Members of the Kiwanis Club and other interested in good roads met Thurs. night at the Coppes Hotel to present the petition of a hard surface road between Nappanee and Elkhart before 2 members of the State Highway Commission. 100 men of this city and county enjoyed an excellent chicken dinner at the meeting. 50 YEARS AGO; DEC. 4, 1952 Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gillis announce the engagement of their daughter, Carol, to Cpl. Robert Strang who returned to Nappanee last Sunday morning after serving 12 months in Korea. Miss Gillis is a graduate of the ‘sl class of Nappanee Schools. The Years Ago segments have been researched and posted by Margaret England-Neff.

letters to the editor must be signed and include a phone number in order to verify the author. The Advance News reserves the right to edit all letters and commen-

distance companies. All offering the deal of a lifetime and all rebuffed within 60 seconds. The best one occurred yesterday morning. We were all gathered in the family room enjoying the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade when the phone announced itself. Thinking that it may be a daughter in distress preparing her first Thanksgiving Day feast, I answered the phone. I said hello. I said hello three times before anyone responded. And the voice I heard was offering a great deal on Time-Life books. Once again mispronouncing our name and speaking so fast that it could have been a foreign language; I did what I normally will never do. I hung up. I hung up without even admonishing the caller for his rudeness. The hubris of any company that would deign to telemarket on a Holiday goes beyond anything I’d experienced from this genre of irritating people. Here’s hoping Time-Life saw a major drop in sales yesterday. And here’s hoping the folks in their research department were sent a very clear message. Don’t call during the Macy's parade. Most importantly, don’t EVER call on a Holiday!

vehicle. I hated you for getting that car. And then when you got that new boat, you had nerve to invite us to go out on the lake with you when you knew my husband took a cut in pay. That’s why we told you we were sick and unable to attend.” “You mean you lied to us?” Cheryl was amazed. “Oh well, considering that was 1988, I 1 suppose I can overlook it.” “I might as well come clean,” Carman whispered. “I’ve disliked you from the very first day ;j we moved into this neighborhood. All those years you thought I was your best friend, I harbored ill! feelings toward you in my heart. I even hate the way you do your hair. A woman as old as you should age gracefully and ■ stop trying to hide your gray hair with a red rinse.” Both women sat in silence. Carman rose to her feet with a sigh. “Boy, do I ever feel better,” she said as she advanced to the door. “If we all followed the teachings of Jesus, the world would be a better place, don’t you think?” Cheryl watched her neighbor walk across the sidewalk to her own side of the hedge. “I’m glad she feels better,” Cheryl muttered to herself. “I , wonder if that’s what Jesus really had in mind when he told us to confront others?” Shaking her head, she said to herself, “Somehow I doubt it.”

taries for brevity, clarity and grammar. The views expressed on the Opinion page do not necessarily reflect those of the Advance News, j