Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 133, Number 44, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 3 November 2011 — Page 4

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•AdvanceNews* Tbunday,November 3,2oll

Big picture people My kkb love to vWt the Indianapolis Children's. AAA ■■ A I A S iL . n L|lA■li n|- |- t MUKunv w 809 tne centerpiece ax-sooiy t|>Bß *mn, die CBrty2oth<>fttuiy carousel and the polar Mac landing on iia hind legs, its jteeth bared in a silent

ferocious yowl The polar bear and I are old friends. When I was a kid, the bear inhabited a dimly-lit corner of the old, much smaller Children's Museum. I could touch its

coarse white hairs and fed die taxidermist's frame underneath. 1 learned mudi later that polar bears' hairs are tubular structures that help regulate their body temperatures and tolerate the frigid seas where they hunt and raise their young. People used to say, Til believe dimate change is happening when die polar ice cap melts." It's melting, people. I subscribe to the venerable National Geographic magazine, which has been covering Arctic ice melt and die plight of the polar bear; which has become a symbol of wanning world temperatures. Pictures of emaciated bears, swimming miles in search of food, are pathetic and shocking. It's not easy to make the leap from "drowning polar bear" to "1 must reduce, reuse, recycle." However, polar bean and our individual lifestyles are all part of the Big Picture. Though global temperatures do fluctuate, a recent survey by George Mason University showed that 97 percent of the scientists they talked to (members in good standing of die American Meteorological Society and the American Geophysical Union) believe that accelerated global warming is happening, with 84 percent weighing in that it's caused by human use of fossil fuels: to heat homes, run vehicles and factories, make plastics, and import goods. We're part of that Big Picture. There are a lot of us and we're using a lot of the world's resources. Every day 1 meet people who don't seem to realize their impact on their planet or even their neighborhood or worse, don't care. I'm not sure I want to live like that. After all, we are die ones with the big brains who can use ingenuity and creativity to lighten our lifestyles. We need energy, but every day 1 hear about people finding ways to use less energy: using solar or wind power, building smaller homes, making shorter commutes, recycling more, reusing or borrowing instead of buying, walking instead of driving, sharing with neighbors whether if s garden produce or a carpool. Polar bears have big paws, but we have the big ideas. I want to be part of that nopeful population, partnering with others, willing to change when it makes sense, even though 1 have to walk on unfamiliar ground. What does the Big Picture look like? It looks like people taking responsibility, people using creativity to find better solutions. My churai just started a recycling program for "troublesome trash," the household hazardous waste that sometimes gets discarded in regular trash. We have a congregation collection center for ink jet cartridges, batteries, CFL light bulbs, household chemicals, and other toxic substances that we gather up periodically to take to the Recycle Depot. We recycle our weekly paper bulletins plus other paper supplies, we're using CFLs instead of incandescent light bulbs, and we're thinking about how we can discontinue plastic tableware at our church dinners. We're seeing ourselves in the Big Picture. Marianne Peters is a freelance writer and certified Master Gardener based in Plymouth. Send questions or comments to her through the Pilot News or her weblog: http://hoosierwordsmitii.typepad.com. ft Recycle Depot WWW.RECYCLEDEPOT.INFO Hazardous Waste - Tires - Electronics Appliances - recycling ISOO Walts it Olaui Drive, Plymouth • 874-MB-MIS Tuss-fri aao-arao« Ist sat of each month s-noon Continuous Publication Since 1879 Advance. News PubiishsdWtstcly#<USPS 370-96(9 Periodical postage paid in Nappanee, IN rUSTMAs i cn: pisses mm Morass corrections ' pT to P.O. Box 220, Ptymoutt», IN 46893 Accounting Manager Jerry B ingle Managing EcMtor Maggie Nixon Editor Angel Perkins .. . EJtior j ames Costello JSSSSrtSSL Cindy Stocktoo Angi Rodriguez CLASSIFIED 081 1-300-933-0356 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ADS Al dasaifiede must be pne-paid. Oparina: Monday at 11:30 am. ADVERTISING ****** at i-eoo*»<Mse for rate information or to place an ad. Dearrine: Thursday at 5 p.m. LEGAL Oesdkw. Wednesday at p.m. NOTICES (W '* ekprto ' ) SUBSCRIPTIONS Annual subecrfoCon price <52 issues) is s2l instate and $26 ouKoMtate. lb renew or start a net* subacripton, or to aotw dsrisry problems, cal *k ChouWton Departmental 1-8004330366 NEWS Email news Hams and photos to advenoerinpoc.net, or drop them off at the Bremen office, 126 E Plymouth St For poesfole story ideas contact Angel Bartons, editor, at the office al 574-546-2941 or cel. 574-209-0704. Dnarriw Friday at noon. Publisher reserves the right to reject wffi or cancal any advertising at an) rine without RabWty. Publisher's Nabrit) tor error is Imited to the amount paid foi

Hoosa Habitat: Lur Wm idlmGc» BtMadianne Peters

Community

Fun pumpkin rads

Of all the plants in the world, my favorite has to be pumpkin. I really do not know why. Maybe it was the fun of going to the pumpkin patch as a child that sparked my interest I have raised big ones, small ones, orange and white ones. Some day, I want to grow a world record luge pumpkin! Just for fun. Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America. Seeds from related plants have been found in Mexico dating bade to 7000 to 5500 B.C. References to pumpkins date bade many centuries. The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large melon" which is "pepon." "Pepon" was changed by the French into "pompon." The English changed "pompon" to "Pumpion." American colonists changed "pumpion" into "pumpkin." Native American Indians used pumpkin in their diets centuries before the white settlers arrived. They dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. Indians would also roast long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and eat them. When the Europeans arrived, they saw the pumpkins grown by the Indians and pumpkin soon became a

Be a loser and feel great

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, people who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or other lipid diso r ders, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea and respiratory problems, and certain cancers such as endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Higher body weights are also associated with increases in all-cause mortality (death). Learn how to be a loser and feel great! Joanie Younce, Purdue Extension

Recently I offered readers the opportunity to have their opinions be "heard" by commenting on subjects brought up in my column and online at my blog at www.thepilotnews.com. The offer still stands. Simply scroll down on the page until you see the title "Blogs" and men choose one or more to comment on. You can share your own stories and viewpoints related to the topics or suggest a topic for the future. This week I wanted to share my experience at a local haunt and by that I do mean haunt. I took my two youngest children (15 and 18) to Legend Park's Fear Itself on U.S. 20 in Mishawaka. Because I .was raised in the area and have forever been a fan of the creepy I can honestly and positively say it was the best haunted house St. Joseph County has ever offered.

Around, from front

Nite" Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. "Knit Nite" is held at Tne' Loft Art Studio every Second Tuesday night of each month. All levels of experience as well as crocheters are welcome to attend for a free night of stitching fun. "Help Night" is also offered every fourth Tuesday of the month and during which customers (for $5) sign up on a help list and get assistance with their

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Knowledge to go\

Elkhart County By Jeff Burbrink Extension Educator staple in their diets. As today, early settlers used them in a wide variety of recipes from desserts to stews and soups. Tne origin of pumpkin pie is thought to have occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds, and then filled it with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in the hot ashes of a dying fire. The carving of the pumpkin can be traced back to Irish and Scottish roots. Legend has it a man named Jack tricked the Devil, and was forced to travel the world as a ghost as revenge. His ghost put a burning coal in hollowed turnips and potatoes and carried it as a lantern. Thus was bom the name Jack-O'-Lantern. When pumpkins were introduced to the British Isle, they soon became the favored material to use as a jack-o'-lantern.

Purdua Extanalon

Knowledge to go

Elkhart County By Mary Ann Lienhart Cross Extension Educator, Consumer Family Science Educator in Health and Human Sciences for Kosciusko County will this free, educational program. This program titled "Be a Loser and Feel Great" is open to the general public and will be offered Monday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Sessions will be held

For about S3O a person, one can visit all four attractions, 13th Hour Amazement, Cuckoo's Nest, Rock Monkey Caves and Sinister Circus (my favorite) weekdays, and for about S4O a person, on high-traffic days (Fridays, Saturdays and Halloween). Individually attractions are sls each during the week and $lB on the weekend and holiday, so the combo ticket is worth the price. I've been to several haunted house attractions in my time ”... all over the

knitting projects. Also available are free beginner knitting classes taught by experienced knitters. SMART DISCIPLINE PROGRAM NOV. 15 There will be a free Smart Discipline program for parents offered to any adult in the Wa-Nee Community. Reservations can be made by emailing [email protected] or call-

SBSBGFS | Archery & Supplies State Deer & Turkey Check Station Indoor Shooting Range Opening Soon * Alvin Yoder 5985 7th RrL, Plymouth 574-934-9965 ext 2 M»».W«4,Tarl-»-SH«-3-aMriTte*Sm

My two cents By Angel Perkins Editor

ing Woodview Elementary School at 574-773-3117. It will be held at the North Wood High School Auditorium Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be books, videos and workbooks available for purchase. The seminar is for adults only; no childcare will. be available. HOUSE OF HOLLY SET FOR NOV. 20 The Eta Zeta Chapter of Psi lota Xi will host its 31st annual House of Holly, Sunday, Nov. 20 from 12 to 4 p.m. at 1274 Golf View Drive, Nappanee. House of Holly is a silent

Expect Only The Best!

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A heartfelt thank you to j£| everyone who has helped *j J us out with prayers, food, ’ [ gifts, the chicken drive, the \ fund, and everything that \ IqKLJb has been done for us. JM - God bless you all! M Viola Miller & family

There seem to be many fun tilings about pumpkins: • Pumpkins are a member of the Cucurbita family which includes squash, melons, and cucumbers. • Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A. • Pumpkin flowers are edible. • The largest pumpkin pie ever made was more than five feet in diameter and weighed more than 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs and took six hours to bake. • In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the crust of pies, not the filling. • Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing snake bites. • The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds. ■ • The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin. • Pumpkins are 90 percent water. • Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October. • Native Americans called pumpkins "isqoutm squash." • Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.

in the Conference Room of the Purdue Extension Elkhart County Office. The office is located inside Gate 2 on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds at 17746 Coiinty Road 34, Goshen. Participants who would like to attend are asked to pre-register by calling the Elkhart County Extension Office at 574-533-0554. This program and all programs of the Purdue University Extension Service are open to everyone. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Extension Office at the above mentioned number. ,

area. The Haunted Castle in Walt Disney World is better as a ride but the special affects are just that. At Pear Itself, the people are real and while you go in knowing you paid to be scared, at points you may find you're reminding yourself that it isn't real. There may be moments that make it seems like you're at Disney, with the lines of teenagers and all the screaming, but all-in-all, the artwork, effort, put in and visual intensity is very entertaining. The second closest scream park, in Niles, I would rate in a second place comparison, but the money visitors pay there does in part go to support several non-profits. READ MORE AT WWW.THEPILOTNEWS.tOM.

auction including such items as handmade crafts, clothing and holiday gift items. The Sorority's famous cheese balls will be for sale that day as well. Tickets are $3 each and can be purchased in advance through sorority members or for the same amount at the door. Tickets are entered in a drawing for the door prize of beautiful Silpada jewelry. The Eta Zeta Chapter of Psi lota Xi is a nonprofit organization with commitments to Riley Hospital for Children, many programs at North Wood High School, Camp Millhouse, Nappanee Boys and Girls Club and many more.

Local Muttons 'Loco! Sonfoo ForOwrJSYiMfsl ANCO OFFICE PRODUCTS 273 N. Mfc/)s*n ■ Downtown nymoutt