The Mail-Journal, Volume 7, Number 12, Milford, Kosciusko County, 22 April 1970 — Page 5

Leesburg-Oswego News By Mrs. Max (Chearyl) Miller Phone: 453-3792

Leesburg Merchants Are Sponsoring A Style Show

The Leesburg Town Merchants will be sponsoring a style show on Friday, May 8. at 8 p.m. in the fire station The 4-H girls, sponsored by Mrs. Charles Smoker, and the Tippy Lee Homemakers club will be furnishing models. Mrs. Harriet Rector, owner of the town’s dress shop will be fur'Swing Into Springtime' Presented ’‘Swinging Into Springtime.” a musical salute to spring, sponsored by the ParentTeachers Organization, was presented by the students of the Leesburg school on April 15. The introduction was given by Ben Stout, principal. The pledge to the American flag was led by James Baier and Billie Sullivan. Some of the specials presented were a solo. “Moon River,” by Randy Carey, "Siltin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” a duet by Bruce Johnson and Jay Steger. “The Crawdad Hole” was sung by the chorus and a skit by Marla Hoffer. Sam Timmons, and Dan fusing. The- last song of the evening was “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” sung by the chorus with a solo by David Coppes. Mrs Nick Carey, third grade teacher, and Mrs Robert Allen, r 2 Leesburg, were in charge of the production. Assisting with the lights was Gary Austin and the decorat ions and stage effects was by Mrs. Craig Brubaker. HELPING HANDS HOLD MEETING The Helping Hands Missionary Society of the Pleasant View Community church met at the home of Mrs Neva Rebman at Warsaw on April 14. The nxyeting was opened with prayer by Mrs. Raymond Crow. Mrs. Joe VanderMolen and Mrs. Aggie Derr led the group in singing “For God So Loved the World.” “Everyday with Jesus.” “Do Lord," and “Jesus Loves Me." Roll call was answered by “What's your hobbies.” A short business meeting was conducted by Mrs Max Miller. The meeting was then turned over to Mrs. Belva Drudge and Mrs. Don Clase A surprise baby shower was f»wi~for Mrs Joe Vander Molen. At nine o’clock time was taken for prayer for the astronauts, led by Mrs Derr. Games were played and Mrs. VanderMolen opened her gifts. Delicious refreshments were served to the 16 ladies and one little girl who were present. MRS. PATON ENTERTAINS LITERARY CLUB The Leesburg Literary elds met at the home of Mrs. George Paton April 13. The meeting was opened by repeating the pledge to the American flag. Devotions were given by Mrs. Herman Ginther. During the business meeting it was decided to have the spring party at a Xocal restaurant April 27. The committee in charge is Mrs Louise Rosbrugh. Mrs. Herman Buckingham, and Mrs. Dean Ferverda The program was in the charge of Mrs. Hal Strong. Char-

PLAN TO ATTEND THE REVIVAL Wednesday * Sunday -- April 22-26 WAWASEE HEIGHTS Baptist Church AND HEAR f Evangelist J™ Vine * nrd Cincinnati, Ohio

nishing clothing for the models. Accessories will be shown by the Town Shop. Everyone is invited to attend the style show which is a welcome for Mrs. Rector to the community. Punch and cookies will be served by the ladies of the town, les Wheeler, public education director for the Kosciusko county unit of the American Cancer Society. showed a film. “The Million Club.” followed by a question and answer period. Refreshments were served. CONCERT CHOIR TO BE AT BAPTIST CHURCH The concert choir from Grace college. Winona Lake, will present a concert at the Calvary Baptist church at Oswego (Armstrong Road and 300 east) Indiana on Sunday. April 26 , at 7 p pastor of the church Lee L. Kantenwein announced today. The concert of sacred music will fall into three categories: general praise, the Easter story, and a group of spirituals, gospel songs, and hymns of devotion. Also presented as part of the program is a woodwind ensemble. , composed of eight members. Selections by the group will include numbers by a clarinet trio, a clarinet quartet, and a saxophone quartet The 33-voice choir, under the ctirection of Professor Donald Ogden, just completed a twoweek Easter tour through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania. Virginia and Maryland. Ogden, chairman of the division of fine arts at the college, organized the char and has been its director since its formation in 1953 Grace college is a coeducational liberal arts college affiliated with the National Fellowship of Brethren Churches. Sharing the campus with Grace Theological Seminary, a conservative school of theology, Grace schools this year enrolled 824 students from 38 states and four foreign countries and represent more than 29 different denominational affiliations. The public is invited to attend. DISTRICT CONFERENCE DATE SET • The dirtrict conference of the Grace Brethren church will be held at the Winona Lake Brethren church April 24. 25. and 26 The main speaker will be Rev. Tom Younger of the Immanuel Baptist church of Fort Wayne. The moderator will be pastor Jerry Young of the Grace Brethren church of Indianapolis. There will be a banquet of the WMC ladies Saturday afternoon. Also on that afternoon the laymen and boys vrill have a smorgasbord at Winona Lake. Sunday afternoon at 1:30 there will be an organ concert by Roland Felts. The Leesburg Brethren church will participate. LYDIA CIRCLE HAS MEETING The WSCb Lydia circle of the United Methodist church met April 8 with Mrs. Ben Stout. Mrs. Robert J. Siively gave the lesson on "Drugs.” "The Changing World,”

and “The Generation Gap." Mrs. Tay Hess bad devotions. During the business meeting plans were made for the salad bar to be held April 24 at the church. Plans were also made for the mother-daughter banquet to be held May 1. There were 12 present and one guest, Kristie Kay Shively. Refreshments were served. -T—---EASTERN STAR .1 IN STATED MEETING Leedburg chapter number 287, Order of the Eastern Star, met on April 14. All of the officers were preserifend 16 other members. Worthy matron. Mrs. Lillian Wallace, presented a potted plant to Mrs. Hugh McCann. Refreshments were served by Mrs. Clyde Bair and Mrs. Ed Charlton. Tour Spanish World Gospel Broadcasting The young people of the Calvary Baptist church of Oswego toured the Spanish World Gospel Broadcasting, Inc., of Winona Lake last Saturday. They were served orange juice and crackers after the tour and went to Pastor Kantenwein's for lunch. They had Taco’s. Those who enjoyed the outing were John Wagnor, Murry Kantenwein, Scott Kantenwein. Sara and Barbara Teeple. Diane Anglin. Debbie Graff and friend They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Chambers, Butch Hamman, and Pastor Kantenwein. GOOD NEWS CLUB RALLY SUNDAY There will be a Good News club rally Sunday at 2:30 at the Free Methodist church, Winona Lake. The entertainment will be the Musical Salness Family. The children will be reciting memory verses. Children from Leesburg and Oswego will be attending. The parents are also invited to attend. THREE ARTS CLUB HAS GUEST NIGHT The Three Arts club met at town hall Monday evening with 17 ladies present. This was a special meeting with guest night being held. The special speaker was Mrs. Don Puckett on "cake decorating.” She decorated two cakes which were later won by Mrs. Jerry Kammerer and Mrs. Raymond Hartman. Games were played and prizes won by Mrs. Mike Finch. Miss Sally Goon, Mrs. Al Kammerer, and Mrs. Floyd Smith. Favors for the guests were decorative paper flowers. Mrs. Larry Hartman and Mrs. Larry Elliott were in charge of the evening. Refreshments were served. This was the last meeting until September. Plain Farmerettes Meet At School By Amy Ferverda The Leesburg Plain Farmerettes held their meeting in the school cafeteria April 14. Lisa Opterud led the pledge to the American flag and Debbie Smoker led the pledge to the 4-H flag. Karen Pound gave devotions. Milli GoH gave the health and safety report for treating poisoning. Demonstrations were given by Jane Buhrt on “Phillups," Cheryl Burke on fruit jello, and Amy Ferverda on salad for children. The next meeting will be on April 28. WORK DAY HELD SATURDAY Work day for the men of Calvary Baptist church of Oswego was last Saturday. Some of the work included the removal of a pine tree and trimming of trees and bushes. VICTOR BROCK FEATURED Victor P. Brock gave a testimony and sang a solo at the morning worship service of Calvary Baptist church of Oswego on Sunday. FOR SALE SPEEDBOAT — 14’ fibreglass with trailer and top. Extras. Also, Wizard riding lawnmower, 6 h. p. manual start. Priced to sell. Runs well. CALL AFTER 4 P. M. GARY WINELAND Phone: 457-2848

Salad Bar Set For Friday A salad bar will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, at the Leesburg United Methodist church. The salad bar is being sponsored by the WSCS with the Clunette ladies as guests. The speaker for the evening will be Irene Southworth of Elkhart. She will talk on “Impressions and Observations of Europe.” Hostesses for the evening will be the Susanna circle with the Martha circle in charge of the worship service. The program was planned by the Lydia circle. COMMUNITY NEWS Mr. and Mrs. Esta Yocum visited Saturday evening with Mr. and Mrs. William Andrews at Warsaw. Mrs. Bernice Watkins and Mrs. Nellie Randall visited their sister, Mrs. Join Ever, and husband at Merriam Sunday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. James Zinn and Mr. and Mrs. Clare Maurer and children of Newaygo, Mich., visited Mr. and Mrs. Max Rosbrugh over the week end. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schermerhorn and family visited Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Noah Endsley at Huntington. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Popenfoose visited Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Popenfoose Friday evening. Mrs. Nellie Randall spent all night Sunday with her sister, Mrs. Bernice Watkins. Mike Miller spent all day Saturday with Brian Beam, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beam of Lake Forest addition. Lisa and Gina Graham and Connie Phillips were guests of Lane Graham at Ball State university, Muncie, over the week end. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Foreman, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hunter visited Mr. and Mrs. Herb Metge Sunday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Foreman will be moving into the Metge home the first of May. The Metges will be moving into the trailer that Mr. and Mrs. Bill Rodgers had lived in. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Redinger and Harley had as Sunday afternoon guests, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Redinger of Warsaw and Mr. and Mrs. Ned Inskeep of Muncie. They celebrated Mrs. Redinger’s birthday. Mrs. Bernice Watkins had as a Monday dinner guest, Mrs. Jeanette Beebe of Pierceton. Mrs. Lunettie Teeple enjoyed Sunday dinner with Mr. and Mrs. C. Robert Teeple. In the afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Teeple took their guest to the Murphy Medical Center where she was admitted. She had surgery Tuesday morning. Sara Teeple attended a slumber party at the First Baptist church in Warsaw Friday. The teenage girls sponsored the party. They had pizza, potato chips, pretzels, and pop for refreshments. A good time, with little slumber, was had by all. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Brown attended the Corvette rally at Lakeville Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Ray McCartney treated Marcia McCartney, Mrs. C. Robert Teeple and daughters, Sara and Barb, to delicious steaks Saturday after a forenoon of shopping in Fort Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. Steve Robison of Edwardsville. Mich., were supper guests of the Jerry Browns Saturday. Marcia McCartney and Barbara Teeple were overnight guests Friday of their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray McCartney of Warsaw. . Mrs. Dan Albert of El Paso, Texas, spent Sunday evening with the Herschel Alberts. They called on Mrs. Garlan Albert and Mr. and Mrs. Foster Albert of Lapaz Sunday afternoon. Ebenezer Ladies Elect Officers An election of officers was held at the Thursday afternoon meeting of the Ebenezer Ladies Aid in the home of Mrs. Howard Bitner. Present officers retained in the election are: President - Mrs. Roy Wilkinson Vice-president - Mrs. Calvin Beck Secretary - Mrs. Roy Miller Treasurer - Mrs. Milo Snyder. Mrs. Bitner offered devotions and Mrs. Wilkinson presided for the meeting. A method for relieving tensions was response to roll call by the 16 members. Miss Susan Reid was a guest. Reports of sick members were heard. Refreshments were served by the hostess during the social hour. Mrs. Raymond Bitner will entertain for the May meeting WANTED All types of mobile home repair. Phone 457-3865 or 457-4316. Syracuse, Indiana

Annexation - (Continued from page 1) the cart before the horse. He asked if the public hearing should not have been held before the ordinances were passed. Town attorney Robert Reed said the law is not specific in this regard, and the town board thought they were on solid ground in their approach. Don Novy, manager of the Weatherhead Co. plant in Syracuse, said his company found no value to it through annexation, and he asked the board to rescind the ordinances. In a later statement, Novy said his company planned legal action to block annexation, should the town board persist in making annexation a reality. Questions Cost Stanley Schrumpf, r 4 (Hunnicutt addition) said his area 3 group disputed the figure of $250,000 needed through the sale of revenue bonds to bring sewers and water lines to the three annexed areas. He said in area 3 14,000 feet of sewer line will be needed which in itself will cost $51,000. He gave a materials cost of $60,000 and a labor cost of $58,000, stating sewers alone (not including storm sewers) will cost $120,000 in area 3. He quickly ran the cost in area 3up to SIBI.OOO for sewers and water, which did not include laterals or "loops” Mr. Schrumpf said he recognized area 3 was the town’s “proMem child,” but that his group feels the town has “been misled.” stating there is serious doubt about the planning that has gone into the annexation effort. He said his group found 65 (73 per cent) were against annexation. 16 (18 per cent) in favor, and five (9 per cent) noncommittal. He said about 15 per cent were not contacted for one reason or another. “The percentages were about the same as in area 1,” he said. Mr. Schrumpf said he knew the chamber of commerce wanted a different form of town government. Those being annexed had no chance to vote on annexation, he said, and that increased taxes will work a financial burden on those being annexed. He asked. "Has this been handled in a democratic manner?” He gave a veiled threat of legal action, stating a long legal battle would hurt the community. Withholds Statement Board member Loren Longenbaugh said at this point that he had a prepared statement to read, but that he was not sure when the appropriate time was for such a statement. Board president Connolly asked him to withhold his statement until a later time, that this meeting was* to hear objectors. Bill Brammer, whose furniture store is in area 3, asked if there was not a legal limit on bonding, and was told by attorney Reed that there is not for revenue bonds. He said a loose figure of SI,OOO per family is acceptable to bonding companies. James Kirkwood, also of area 3, said the town board should give serious consideration to rescinding the annexation ordinance. Mr. Brammer asked if the figure of bringing added services to the three areas was not more like $500,000. He said if the figure of $60,000 fa- bringing sewers and water to the pizza plant, certainly the town could not bring these services to the outlying areas for $250,000. Jack Francis, r 1 Syracuse, who said he was "half in town and half out of town, asked if the town board should not consider the feelings of the people who live in town. "Ask them what they think,” he said. Mr. Connolly, who has ample occasion to meet townspeople in his uptown grocery store, said it was his opinion that Syracuse town residents favored annexation. Francis also scored the chamber of commerce, and asked the town board to rescind its action. Jerry Herbison said he was “not pro or con.” but said the chamber of commerce and town board should have run some newspaper ads to better acquaint residents with the pros and cons of amiexation. Liberty: No Benefit E. W. Bechtold, manager of Liberty Homes, Inc., said his company could see no benefit from annexation, and that he personally questioned from the start the cost analysis that had been advanced He said he has spent his life in cost accounting and finance, and that, if anything, he found the figures of Mr. Schrumpf on the low side. He asked. I, can the bonds be sold, and 2, what happens if the cost figures are low? Mr. Bechtold further asked. "Will this annexation create a political climate we want to live with?" He said promises are not • always kept. "What assurances do we have if we do not get sewers, water and police protection in three years?” Attorney Reed said they could then petition for disannexation.

Reassessment Objectors Attend Wednesday Meeting

More than 50 interested persons and taxpayers attended the April 15 meeting at the Kosciusko county courthouse in Warsaw for a hearing by the state tax commissioners on equalization of property assessments in this county. Most objections came from Turkey Creek township residents and the town of Syracuse. Representatives of the immediate area included Papakeechie, Lake Wawasee and ’ Syracuse Lake associations, the town board of Syracuse, Chamber of Commerce, fanners in the township and individual leaders as a consecrated and joint effort with Robert Reed. Syracuse attorney, acting as spokesman for the group. Harold Hughes, state tax commissioner, conducted the hearing emphasizing that the meeting was for the purpose of determining equalization of assessments in the county in relation to various taxing units in the county and surrounding counties, and not a hearing for personal assessment appeals. Attorney Reed said according to state statutes, all assessments were to have been equalized in 1962 for a starting base for the

Also Doubts Cost Fitzhugh Turner, also of area 3, said he doubted many of the figures that have been advanced. He said there are 151 homes in the proposed annexation areas, and at the rate of SI,OOO per customer, this gives revenue of only $151,000. and not $250,000. He said he realizes this does not include residents now within* the town’s limits. He said he thought it was better for the town board not to finalize annexation at this point, then have to reverse their action. He asked the board to rescind its actions. Harold Kline asked what if the costs in fact do go to $500,000, "what will this do to our sewer bills?” Mr. Reed said sewer bills are established following public hearings, and that they are not arbitrary bills. A final speaker was Steve Bartow of area 3. He said in his opinion the town cannot afford economically or politically to annex these areas. He asked the board to rescind its actions. Promises Action Board president Connolly this morning promised some definite action on the explosive annexation issue. He said the board wants to meet and weigh the issue thoroughly before coming to any conclusions. He said next Tuesday night the board plans to go over the town’s streets to see what repairs need to be made this summer. He said the town has some road equipment, including a new roller, and that they propose doing most of the repair work rather than contract it out. MINISTERS’ CONFAB SET IN ANGOLA Brand Williams, presiding minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses, announced that the Syracuse congregation will be among 16 congregations invited to a ministers’ conference in Angola. According to Brand Williams, this semi-annual event is scheduled for May 15-17 at the Angola high school. Upwards of 1.000 delegates from northern Indiana and southern Michigan are expected to attend the sessions which are held primarily to advance Christian Bible education and provide Jehovah’s Witnesses with practical Bible instruction to apply to their ministry and daily living. The three-day conference will feature speakers from the entire area who will stress the theme of the assemMy "Sacrifices That Please God.” The program will include morning, afternoon and evening sessions devoted to Bible talks, discussions and playlets on assisting each delegate to become a more productive minister There will also be a baptism of new ministers on Saturday The conference will be climaxed on Sunday, May 17, with Angelo Laguna, district minister, delivering the principal Bible sermon. "Withstanding the Pressures of Our Day.” Mr. Williams said a special invitation is extended to all residents in the area to attend. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Heyde and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Miller of the Waubee Grange attended the potluck dinner held at the New Tamarack Grange Hall Sunday, for members of the St-Mar-Kos Pomona Grange. In the afternoon members practiced for the exchange program to be given April 25 at the South Prairie Grange Hall, south of Elkhart.

Wed., April 22, 1970 —THE MAIL-JOURNAL

reassessment program in 1970. He added changes in the assessed value of the land in the county were drastic and uneven, and that 43 per cent of the land value increase in the county was in Turkey Creek township. As spokesman. Reed stated residents of the town and township felt the assessments were equal within the two taxing units but exceptionally high compared to other taxing units in the county. The increase in the assessment of land in Turkey Creek township, not including improvements, was reported to be 93.3 per cent with the increase in assessed value of land in Syracuse listed at 81.2 per cent. The explanation by Hughes said the higher increase in the Syracuse and township area was probably due to valuation not being even throughout the county in 1962 or that there had been a larger economic growth in Turkey Creek-Syracuse. He added the assessment in the township-town area was too low in 1962 or too high this year. County treasurer William E. Ellis related that records in his office showed that some lots on

I I a tfe’ * a In/ I A MR, and MRS. MURRILL NEFF

Drives 50 Years —

Fairfield School Bus Driver Honored

Murrill Neff, r I Syracuse, a Fairfield school bus driver w'ho has served the area schools for the past 50 years, was honored on Monday night at the school corporation’s music banquet. Neff began driving “in 1917 or 1918.” He suffered a stroke in December and has been sidelined since. The stroke paralyzed the left side of his body and confined him to his home. He is steadily improving. Back when Mr. Neff first started driving, busses were called "hacks" and were drawn by two horses. He then graduated to a 1914 model T Ford, however, if the roads were muddy he would return to the horse-drawn method of transporting the youngsters to school. It was in 1924 that he got his first bus. It was also a model T. He has since had many modern vehicles and was driving a 60 passenger bus at the time of his stroke. . In those early days it took two hours each morning and two hours each evening to transport youngsters to and from the Bethany school which was an elementary school located on US 6 near the junction of 6 and SR 15. Later he drove for the New Paris school and then for the Fairfield corporation. In all those years of driving Mr. Neff never had any accidents, however, he can relate some close calls. One time he recalls he had stopped in front of the Charles Lutes residence which is on a slight downgrade when two trucks approached from behind, unable to see the bus until they were almost on top of it. One missed the stopped bus on the left while the other went to -he right and narrowly missed the Luteses’ granddaughter who was coming out of the house. He comments he can’t take "too much credit” for having driven 50 years without an accident “because I made my share of mistakes on the road too.” Instead he believes the motoring public should be given the credit. He continues "... they’re really the

Lake Wawasee were appraised at $lO to S3O in 1962 assessment, indicating to him that the assessments in the township may have been too low in the past. The lots in reference were small boat lots with little value and were purchased by residents along with residential lots, according to real estate man Jack C. Vanderford of Syracuse. Whitley county assessor Joe Bowers complained to the assessed valuation in his county as a comparison with Kosciusko county especially concerned with school corporations. Report of the meeting will be made to the state tax commissioners with a final decision whether or not to adjust assessments and certify the assessment figures to the county auditor by April 22. If property owners are still not satisified with the equalization of assessments. 10 or more taxpayers may file an appeal with the state board and when filed, the board would hold a second hearing on the matter before the final valuation figures are established, Hughes said. The reassessment must be completed before the tax rates for various units can be set officially.

ones who are responsible and have made allowances for bus drivers.” Neff remembers the days when the oily equipment on the bus was the safety arm which the driver extended when the bus stopped to load or unload children. He thinks the double flasher system now used on the buses is one of the best safety features on the busses. Farmer Too Neff farms a 49-acre tract of land on Elkhart county road 52. He raises grain and livestock. He and his wife Marian were married 25 years ago. His son, Harold, who has been his substitute driver for the past five years, took over his route after he suffered his stroke. Council Meeting At Bethel Church The Bethel Church of the Brethren held a council meeting Monday, April 20. Moderator Donn Kesler presided. Mr. Kesler asked clerk Mrs. Bernice Dwyer to read the minutes of the last meeting. They were approved. She also read a letter of transfer from Mrs. Vera Whistler. Reports were given by the following commission chairmen: Christian education, Fred Slabaugh, who reported a new class is being formed for new graduates, unmarried young people and young married couples. They will be studying the book of James. Mrs. Chester Bahn reported the church would have a vacation Bible school which would be from June 8 to 12, hours 7 to 9 p.m. Reports were also given by the deacons, trustees, pastor, allocation commission and the ministerial canmission. Mr. Kesler stated a yard cleanup night would be held April 27 at 6 p.m. and all who are able are requested to attend.

5