Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 125, Number 52, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 25 December 2002 — Page 4

Page 4

Advance News • Wednesday, December 25, 2002

Protect your wallet and your identity

Many people use credit cards and debit cards because they are convenient, but with the use of these cards, it is important to remember to Guest Commentary By Attorney General Sieve Carter be careful and to follow some safety guidelines. If you are using a credit or debit card, be sure to keep them in a safe place, track any purchases and make sure that a secured server is being used when ordering gifts online.

Letters to the Editor

HARD WORK APPRECIATED On behalf of Family Christian Development Center, the US Marines and the Boys and Girls Club of Nappanee, I wish to thank our community for another successful Christmas Jubilee. Once again the hard work of the US Marines and their annual Toys for Tots campaign produced not only a record number of toys, but also high quality toys that insured families would have a good selection of gifts for their children. May thanks goes to Dick Deardorf, former Marine from Wakarusa who coordinated the placement of the collection boxes throughout the area. In addition to all of the toys, throughout the year we receive from local and area churches, women’s groups, civic groups and many individuals, donations of handmade comforters, blankets, mittens, scarves and stocking hats. Since Jubilee began in 1996, many of the same groups and individuals have contributed every year. Thank you again to all of you who participate with these much needed items. This year Christmas Jubilee was held at the Nappanee Boys and Girls Club. My special thanks to Brad Weirich and his staff for making his facility available to us. I also wish to thank Toyce Davis, general chair of Jubilee, the Lengacher family for providing and serving refreshments, Susie Kocsis for collecting and dry cleaning winter coats, and Krista Williams, Family Christian Development Center Care Director for the intake and registration of our families. None of this, however, would be possible without the many volunteers from our community who gladly helped by distributing toy boxes, collecting the toy boxes and setting up the Friday before, and to all who served the day of Jubilee as personal shoppers, gift wrappers and clean-up crew. Sincerely, Joan Andrews j Executive Director, Family Christian Development Center GIVE GIFT OF SIGHT Are you having difficulty finding an appropriate gift for someone this holiday season? Why not give the gift of sight? Gifts toward sight restoration can be given on behalf of friends or relatives in the form of a financial contribution to the Indiana Lions Eye Bank. Indiana University Medical Center, 702 Rotary Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Gifts may be made in memory of a deceased, in recognition of an anniversary, or to assist in the work of the Eye Bank. An acknowledgement of the gift will be sent to both parties. What more significant gift could one give than one toward the restoration of sight? Bemiece H. Dwyer, Milford

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 residents , from various viewpoints. Readers are welcome to express their views by submitting letters or guest commentaries regarding community topics. To be considered for publication, 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 commentaries for brevity, clarity and grammar. The views expressed on the Opinion page do not necessarily reflect those of the Advance News.

Continuous Publication Since 1879 Advance News Serving the Wa-Nee Community 158 W. Market St. Regional Publisher Terri Dearth P.0.80x 230 Rsgiond Newj Director Stacey Creasy Nappanee, IN 46550 Managing editor Holly Heller 574-773-3127 Reportor/Photographer Mindy Abel Fax:s74-773-3512 Advertising Rep Bruce Hecklinski Email: [email protected] Grcuiation Manager Cindy Stockton 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 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. • Advertising* Call Bruce Hecklinski at 1-800-933-0356 for rate information or to place an ad. Deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. • Subscriptions • Annual subscription price 152 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 e-mail or drop them off at the Advance News office. Deadline is Friday at noon. For possible story ideas, contact Holly Heller or Mindy Abel at 773-3127.

Other tips for safe holiday shopping include: ♦Checking the refund and return policies of retailers ♦Reading any fine print on contracts or warranties ♦Keeping receipts and website printouts with order numbers and confirmations ♦Tracking your purchases It is also important to remember to never give your personal information out. Reputable businesses won’t ask for a Social Security number or banking account information. If they do ask, you should be cautious. If a solicitor hesitates in providing information or pressures you into a decision, you may want to take more time to research the organization before you write a check.

Shifting religious views into gear

It’s been a little over three weeks since the ad campaign aimed at sports utility vehicle owners created by the Evangelical Environmental Network in Philadelphia and SUV Ad Campaign in Los Angeles broke, asking the compelling question, “What would Jesus drive?” The television spot launched Dec. 2 was targeted for eight metro markets, one of which was South Bend. It could be that the Hummer plant brought us the attention. Statistics show SUV drivers in this market are not out of whack, when compared to other areas. We’re neither more or less prone to drive these gas-guzzling behemoths which average seven miles less to the gallon than the typical car. I drive one. Or more accurately, I’ve been driving my husband’s since my accident in October. Today I finally get my car back and can return this offender to its rightful owner. And, lest you think the use of SUVs is only connected to the ruin of our environment, don’t discount the soon-to-be-seen TV spots depicting SUV drivers as terrorists showing one as funding a terrorist training camp. Another will show a wide shot of bumper-to-bumper traffic and the

About growing old

I was sitting at my makeup table in a flannel bathrobe. The clay mask that was suppose to make my pudgy face flawless was hardening quite nicely. I was just getting ready to start polishing my nails when my husband Brian came bounding into the bedroom after his evening of bowling. He looked me over and said, “You’re not the woman I married by a long shot." “What do you mean by that?” I countered, stuffing a handful of chips into my mouth. “I’ve gained a few pounds and am getting some wrinkles. My hair is mousy gray and I have a slight mustache on my upper lip. But I’ll pass in a crowd.” I bent over to retrieve my Kleenex that had fallen to the floor and Brian hit me affectionately on the backside. “You’re a great guy, though,” he told me. “I’m looking forward to growing older with you.” With a chuckle of contentment he plopped down in bed, rolled over on his stomach, and fell asleep immediately. Surveying ,my double chin and bulgy eyes in the mirror, I had to admit, I wasn’t the slim, attractive girl he married 24 years ago. I decided to do something about it. “I’m a walk-in,” I told the beauty shop attendant the next day. “Can you help me?” She looked me over with fiirrowed brow. "We can try,” she admitted, “but it might take hours.” I surrendered myself to the swivel chair. “I think you need a wax job,” the operator told me. “Is that anything like a lube job?” I asked

Opinion

copy line “the biggest weapon of mass destruction is parked in your driveway.” The Big Three Ford. General Motors and Daimler Chrysler have begun to premiere hybrid cars powered partly by electricity. However, with SUVs, vans and pickups still accounting for half of new vehicles sold, their claim is one of only

responding to demand. Ford has made a pledge to improve the economy of its SUVs by 25 percent by 2005. This latest slogan is an adaptation of one used for a moral education campaign in schools “What would Jesus do?” now applied to vehicles that damage God’s planet. Many folks have jumped on the bandwagon with their own suggestions of what Jesus would drive with applicable biblical references to substantiate their

her with a laugh. She wasn’t smiling. She plastered hot wax on my eyebrows and upper lip. “This won’t hurt a bit," she lied as she yanked the facial hair out by the roots. When I came to, she was working on the hair of my head. “I took the liberty of picking a red rinse for you,” she said in a tactful manner. “It

will highlight your natural brown tint, covering any unwanted stray hairs that do not conform.” In layman’s terms, she was covering my mousy gray hair with a brassy golden-red hue. ‘To lengthen your face, we’re going with a short cut, but one that curls around your chin,” she said as she maneuvered the curling iron through my chin-length hair. “We want to give you a little height up at the top.” “So you’re going to rat my hair and curl it around my fat face to hide my double •chin,” I answered. She nodded. I hardly recognized myself as I sat in front of my vanity that afternoon. I climbed into my best dress and high heels to greet my husband at the door. “What’s for supper. Mack?” he asked.

From My Perspective Terri Dearth Regional Publisher

mm- ■ t ~ ■

The Last Word Laurie Lechlitner Columnist

claims. One theory is that Jesus would tool around in an old Plymouth because the* Bible says, “God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden in a Fury.” Some folks insist that Jesus drove a Honda, but didn’t like to talk about it. As proof, they cite a verse in St. John’s Gospel where Christ tells the crowd, “For I did not speak of my own Accord.” And following His lead, the Apostles car-pooled in a Honda, “The Apostles were in one Accord.” Maybe the real question should be why would Jesus drive? Or where? My personal opinion: Jesus would drive nothing smaller than a Suburban. He would see it as environmentally responsible to use a vehicle that could accommodate as many disciples as is physically possible. Every day children are abused, women are raped and innocent people go without food. Maybe we should be asking ourselves how we can solve these pressing concerns. Instead of wasting time wondering what Jesus would drive.

together

after giving me a peck on the cheek. “You smell funny. Have you been hanging out at the delicatessen again?” “No, you goof!” I exclaimed. “I spent all day in the beauty shop. You told me I wasn't the girl you married and hinted that I’d let myself go.” “Oh, so that explains the red hair and bright lipstick.” He laughed. “I was afraid you were getting ready to run off with the heating and cooling man.” Brian surveyed my frame from top to bottom, saying on a more serious note, “I j liked you better with mousy gray hair and ai mustache. You took me all wrong last night. 1 You’re more than the pretty, little, flighty creature I married. You’ve had years to season like a good piece of wood, to become pliable enough to craft into a vintage heirloom. You look like somebody’s grandmother and I’m proud to be growing old with you.” My eyes filled with tears of gratitude as he added, ‘Take that ridiculous outfit off and fix me some supper, OK?” Standing in jeans and fuzzy bathroom slippers as I stuffed a pound of hamburger ; in the pan to make goulash, I thought to myself. Maybe I will run off with the heating and cooling man. Reality hit me as I glanced at my eager husband, pounding on the table with knife and fork for grub. I knew I couldn’t be happy with anyone else. Yes, God willing, we would definitely grow old together.