Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 126, Number 4, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 29 January 2003 — Page 4

Page 4

Advance News * Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Give organs to get organs

There is no reason for anyone to die while waiting on an organ for a transplant yet hundreds of people die each day. Dozens of Hoosiers could die today waiting on that liver or heart. It is so easy to be an organ donor,

B

Viewpoint Stacey Creasy Regional News Director

yet so few people are willing to do it, and about one-third of the generous few that do agree to be organ donors, have their wishes changed by some relative after they die, a relative that does not “believe” in organ donation. I have an idea or two that may help increase organ donation: Have each state pass a law that says if you are an organ donor, you are put on a priority list in case you need an organ. Organ donors would be the first -.in line to receive organs. That is the Iway it should be. ; This way you are not infringing •on anyone religious rights or any Mother right. If they do not believe in organs, they should also

Letter to the Editor

FAMILY THANKFUL FOR GENEROSITY • The family of James and Tracy Cottrill would like to say thank you to the Kiwanis Club for their generosity during the holidays and to Mayor Thompson, and thanks to those who attended the tree dedication !to our baby Alanna. | In loving memory ■ Alanna Kate Cottrill I Feb. 25, 1998-July 10, 2002 t i James and Tracy Cottrill and family

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Years Ago

120 YEARS AGO; JAN. 1883 About & was cleared at the Mush and Oyster Festival at Stanley’s Hall last Sat. evening. This was a small netting considering the ample preparation that had been made. The rent for such a hall is no small item, but it seems there are many who do not respond to these gatherings. 100 YEARS AGO; JAN. 1903 Nappanee’s labor troubles are over...nearly all employees of Coppes, Zook & Mutschler return to work. It has perhaps cost Nappanee $5,000. All time over 10 hours per day will be paid at time and one half. All work on Sunday and holidays shall pay double time. All employees shall retain their positions providing they belong to the Nappanee Federal Labor Union, except the foremen who have the authority to hire or discharge. 75 YEARS AGO; JAN. 1928 Nappanee Public Library has been open to the public just seven years. During those years books have circulated more than 227,000 times. 50 YEARS AGO; JAN. 29, 1953 Mrs. Forrest Kendall has made arrangements for Thursday Club ladies to tour the Nappanee Dairy and Nappanee Telephone Co. These segments have been researched and posted by Margaret England-Neff.

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not believe in receiving an organ from someone else. I think if people realize you have to be willing to donate your organs if order to have an organ transplant should you need surgery. Secondly, if you sign the back of your driver’s license to be an organ donor, no one should be allowed to change that after the fact if the person is 18 years old or older at the time or their death. Why bother to sign the driver’s license if it is not worth the paper it is written on? If you have signed your license, you should also put your wishes in writing somewhere and allow someone to witness your writing. It is also a good idea to talk to your closest relative and tell them you want to donate organs at the time of your death. Do not leave anything to chance. That is how and when mistakes and misunderstandings take place. In my eyes it is insane that some small child is sitting in a hospital room, watching the clock to see if he will make it through another day while waiting on a heart. Place organ donors at the top of the list. I am confident the overall number of organ donors will increase. The end result is more people will survive, which is what we are after in the first place.

From My Perspective Terri Dearth Regional Publisher

Regional Publisher Terri Dearth Regiond News Director Stacey Creasy Managing Editor Holly Heller Reporter/Photographer Mindy Abel Advertising Rep Bruce Hecklinski Gradation Manager Cindy Stockton

CNHI News Servlce/Davld ReddickO The Herald Bulletin

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Will return next week

It was hate at first sight. That little fox terrier had the gall of an elephant, even though he was only 15 pounds of dog. He came in my yard with a sheepish grin and lifted his leg in defiance. ' I yelled out the window, “What do you think this is, you crazy mut, a public restroom?” He wagged his tail and trotted back to his own yard across the street. “If I didn’t value peace in the neighborhood, I’d shoot that dog,” I told my husband, Brian. “Why do you hate him so badly?” Brian probed. “Our yard is not a show place. And even if he leaves little reminders that he’s been there, our own dog does the same.” “He’s such a cocky pup,” I answered. “He defies me.” “Perhaps you just don’t understand him,” Brian countered. “What are you now,” I asked, “an animal psychologist?” “No, but I just want to give the little guy the benefit of the doubt.” A week later, I got my chance. The neighbors

"How do I always get stuck with the pitchspoon?!"

A loon looks at the full moon

As I was chasing the Full Moon home last Saturday night, it reminded me this is the first Full Moon of 2003. I have spent many nights chasing the moon home, in all sorts of vehicles, from many angles in many states. I remember first hearing Bob Seeger’s ‘Turn the Page” on a glorious Full Moon night in rural Georgia, heading home after covering a basketball game, with many miles to drive. It was a defining, reflective moment. Since then, I have always paid attention to Full Moons. I remember thinking one summer that Megs was playing a softball tournament on a Full Moon night and, by the next Full Moon, she’d be starting high school and leaving the years of small-town ball behind, entering the relatively competitive level of high school games. I knew then that some schmuck like me had probably witnessed a summery Full Moon on the Great Plains hundreds of years ago and marveled just the same at its brilliance and ability to inspire thought processes. A long, long time ago, high priestesses (there were no male priests then) used their knowledge of moons and tides to inspire their legions of followers. Those who believe in astrology (at least three First Ladies, not including the current one have charted their husbands’ presidential moves using astrology) use the same charts. The brightness of Full Moons may help such influence. By comparison, the sun, as measured in astronomical magnitudes, ris -26.7; a Full Moon is -12.6. But that's still the secondbrightest natural light in the sky for us. By the way, if you were on the moon during what earthlings see as a New Moon, you'd, of course, see a Full Earth, at 50 times brighter than we see the Full Moon.

The story of the winsome canine

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

Opinion

I really like years when we have months with two Full Moons. It doesn’t happen again until next June. This year, we seem to have Full Moons mostly in the middle of the months, which strikes me as odd for some reason. Here’s the dates of our full moons of 2003 with time-honored interpretations: •The first full moon of the new year, the

% * *„ > ** f ->• ' • - . Mike Siroky Managing Editor

FULL WOLF MOON (Saturday just past), is so named because inhabitants of the Great Plains would hear the wolfpacks howling as the winter hunt for food continued. I like to think the first moon is one of a hunger for knowledge, which sets up the rest of the year just swell. •Next up is the FULL HUNGER MOON (February 16): All the beasts are hibernating and the predators including hunters come home with nothing. As an alternative, there is always basketball in Indiana. The first Sunday Full Moon of the year. •FULL WORM MOON (March 18): A Tuesday Full Moon, this is the night earthworms signal the coming spring by coming our of their winter's nap for surface feeding. In rural areas, this is known as the Full Crow Moon because those birds begin their nightly seasonal symphony or the Full Sap Moon (because sap starts flowing then). In fact, you're reading some of it now. •FULL PINK MOON (April 16): A Wednesday, this is the night when pink buds begin to sprout, as spring comes ever nearer.

were gone and the fox terrier was running loose. I wouldn’t have to leave visible scars on the smart-aleck, but I could teach him a lesson he wouldn’t quickly foiget. Perhaps then he’d stay on his own property. I watched him slink along the hedge with

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The Last Word Laurie Lechfitner Columnist

the same silly grin on his pointy face as I picked up a rather large-sized tree branch. Just as he lifted his leg to water my rose bushes, I heaved the heavy limb at the small dog. My aim was bad, yet it didn’t miss him by much, a few inches lower and I’d have nailed the creature. That fox terrier did something I wasn’t

by submining letters or guest commentaries regarding community topics. To be considered for publication, leners to the editor must be signed and include a phone number in order to verify the author.

•FULL FLOWER MOON (May 15): A Thursday Full Moon, this the night which signals the full blossoming of flowers. It's also the height of the calving season. •STRAWBERRY MOON (June 14): A romantic signal, fruits are in season and are ripe for the picking on a nice Saturday night. •FULL BUCK MOON (July 13): It's when deer begin to grow their antlers as they mature. Also known as Full Thunder Mocin in the Southwest due to traditional rainstorms. The second Sunday Full Moon of ij)e year and the first one of summer •FULL RED MOON (August 11): The moon rises through a hot haze. Also known as Green Com Moon because that crop is ready for harvest. A nice way to end a Monday and a nice thought that every weekday has at least one Full Moon this year. •HARVEST MOON (September 10): It’s time to bring in the crops. As it's the nearest Full Moon to the first day of Autumn, it permits farmers to work past sunset and complete the harvest. A second Wednesday Full Moon •HUNTER’S MOON (October 10): Deer and other wild game (like editors) are the fattest they'll be. That makes it a lucky night for hunters, balancing that Hunger Moon thing which started the year. A football Friday night, too. •FULL BEAVER MOON (November 8): It's traditional the end of the trapping season along waterways before they freeze, though the past several seasons have extended into Decembers. A third Saturday Full Moon, making it the most powerful Full Moon night of the year. •FULL LONG NIGHTS MOON (December 8): Winter is supposedly at its height; for the past several winters. If this is the coldest night of the season, then let the warmup begin for 2004. A second Thursday Full Moon.

expecting. The runt chased that big limb, trying to pick it up in his mouth. He pulled and pulled, but it was just too heavy. Looking at me in helpless frustration, he began to whimper. “You stupid little mut,” I yelled. “I’m not trying to play fetch, I’m trying to fatally wound you.” He tried again to bring the limb back to me. Again his canine eyes filled with tears. “All right,” I told him. “I’ll throw a smaller stick.” I threw a twig across the lawn. The terrier picked it up with his teeth and brought it back to me, his little tail wagging in gratitude. I threw it again. I got the same response. When Brian came home from a day of golf, he caught me with the nervous, wiggly creature on my lap, every once in a while the dog licking my face. “What’s this?” he queried. “I thought you didn’t like that animal.” With a smile, I replied, “I guess I just didn’t understand him.”

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.