The Mail-Journal, Volume 14, Number 3, Milford, Kosciusko County, 9 February 1977 — Page 10

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., Feb. 9,1977

10

Lift ban on gas usage, local businesses affected

HAMMOND - A lifting of restrictions on the use of natural gas by industrial and commercial customers in Service Priority Class 111 from "plant protection" levels to 80 per cent of their contracted demand until further notice was announced Sunday, Feb. 6. by Dean H. Mitchell, chairman and chief executive officer of Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCo). In making the announcement. Mitchell said. ‘Relatively moderate temperatures and the utility’s ability to acquire additional natural gas supplies, plus the conservation of energy by all customers made this ‘welcome news’ possible." Weather Eases Area weather did ease, with lows of zero to five above zero and day-time highs in the upper teens to the 20's. The extended fcrecast for this week is mild with lows in the 20’s and highs reaching the 40 degree mark He said the company is working diligently to find some relief for customers falling in. category IV (about 75 in number) whose gas usage is 500,000 cubic feet per day or more and. hopefully, will have some measure of relief for them later in the week The utility leader warned, however, that it may be necessary for industrial and large commercial customers to fall back to “plant protection" levels if extended periods of subzero temperatures return, or if the utility suffers any other unforeseen severe curtailments by its pipeline suppliers "After days of searching, we were fortunate to be able to purchase the equivalent of 23 million cubic feet of high-BTL’ ethane-propane gas from petroleum companies." Mitchell said "In addition. Midwestern Gas Transmission Company, who had curtailed us some 49 million cubic feet a day m January, has restored 23 million cubic feet per day of this reduction." he added “We are hopeful the balance of this curtailment can be restored at an early date." Last week. NIPSCo notified affected customers of service priorities as listed in an emergency allocation plan approved by the Public Service Commission of Indiana on Thursday. Feb 3, 1977 Under this plan, six levels of service priority were established Service Priority Class I — Residential and small commercial customers whose usage averages less than 10.000 cubic feet per day. and human needs customers hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, and customers where a reduction of supply 1 would adversely affect public health and safety, such as fire and police departments, civil defense and other emergency services ) These customers would be the last to be curtailed during an emergency. Service Priority Class 11 — Commercial and industrial customers using more than 10.000 cubic feet per day. but less than 50,000 cubic feet a day This 'classification also includes "plant protection" gas Service Priority Class HI — Commercial and industrial customers having a contract

New — Low, Low Price UNIVERSE 23 CHANNEL CB Jfcau Model CB-747 — Transceiver •«,*58 88 (While Quantities last) BEN*FRANKUN stocshours SYRACUSE L moMw *•*»**•** •**

quantity of 50,000 cubic feet a day. but less than 500,000 cubic feet a day. This would include only the larger commercial establishments — shopping centers, retail stores, restaurants, banks, savings and loan outlets, recreational auditoriums, some schools, etc. Service Priority Class IV — Commercial and iAdustrial customers having a contract quantity of 500,000 cubic feet per day or more. Off-peak gas customers make i4> Service Priority Class V, and interruptible gas customers are included in the last classification. Sendee Priority Class VI. "Although this notice is optimistic," Mitchell said, “it is most imperative that no quantities of natural gas be wasted by any; customer — residential, commercial or industrial — if we are to maintain even these levels of operation “6f course, all customers must continue to dial down to 65 decrees in the daytime and 55 degrees at night, and to use natural gas as efficiently as possible when cooking, baking, washing and drying clothes, and usipg hot water." the utility chairman said Milford Businesses Some Milford businesses r?ve set new hours for February, in the wake of the natural gas shortage Indiana is experiencing following a meeting of some of the business people, it was decided that merchants could set «* their hours independently, but that the total hours would be cut back “Everybody is working at; it a little bit,” said Dennis Sharp. MAD president The First National Bank. Xjilfcrd branch, had determined their hours.to be. "Basically ten to three, four days a week.” said Kerry Price, assistant manager Friday hours at the bank were 10 to five and Saturday hours remained 9 am. to 12 noon Regular hours have now been adopted Inside the bank, the temperature is being maintained at (0 degrees "We’ve been closing earlier.” I Sue Campbell, owner of 's Bar. just as soon as the omers leave sometime after m “We’ve cut back, but it’s 1 when you’ve got a few omers," said Campbell. The heated bar has set the perature at 65 degrees itting their hours by one and jane-half, the Milford Clothing Store has set 9 a m. to 5:30 p.m as their hours Mrs. Katherine Fackler. owner, says the thermostat has been adjusted. "As tow as it will go." around 60 degrees Explaining that most customers do business after the bank opens. Becky Doll. Doll’s Decorating Center, now opens two-hours later at 10 a m Closing time is 5 p.m . because the post office is open till then, she said, adding that a lot of ! people do business after school is out in the afternoons "The busiest part of the day is m the afternoon when people get out." Mrs Doll said "1 figure this is the time to take a vacation,” said Betty Hare, owner of the Turf Bar. She closed Monday and w'ill not open until February 28. Hare reduced her temperature to 65 degrees to conserve her gas usage. "By the

time I get back, I hope they’ll have something figured out.” Lavon Holderman, one of the owner’s of Lavon’s Variety Store, said their hours are 10 to 5. “Actually, a lot of times in the morning we don’t have a customer.” said Mrs. Holderman. "So we thought that would help save a little. They too have reduced their gas heat to 65 degrees. Sharp's Hardware reduced their hours by one, setting 8 a m. to 5 p.m. business hours. Walter's Drug Store has cut back their lighting and lowered the degrees to 65. said John Perry. No hours have been cut and the store is open from 9 am until 9 p.m. “It’s just kind of hard to cut back with medicine." Perry explained "We didn’t really give it any thought," said Eldon Miller, manager of Amazing Motors. The hours are still 8 a m. to 5 p.m. Miller said the gas-heated building's thermostat is set for 70 degrees, but it drops to 60 degrees when it’s cold Leon Newman, Newman’s Barber Shop, said his hours are no shorter than they usually are. His thermostat is on 65 degrees, but the furnace heats an occupied upstairs apartment. "So it really doesn’t matter when I’m open. If things get rougher, I’ll go along " Campbell’s Market has not changed hours. OWner and manager Phil Campbell said the building is fuel heated, and the temperature kept at 65 degrees. Steve Frantz, owner, of Headquarters said he was not approached to cut his hours and has not done so Pat Speicher has curtailed his hours a bit. and lowered the gas to 60 degrees, but usually keeps 9 to 5 hours. In an attempt to conserve fuel and utilities during the severe cold weather which has befallen northern Indiana, several area businesses have complied with requests to lower thermostat settings and others have decreased store hours. The severe weather has slowed business for many merchants, and increased sales for those who handle cold weather clothing, snow removal items, articles to combat the cold or winter recreation equipment. Uptown Syracuse In uptown Syracuse two merchants have definitely changed store hours to 10-5 p m. during the week all through February Those being My'Store, operated by Mim Speicher, and The Stout Boutique, owned and operated by Jean Rogers and Bonnie Workman Mrs. Speicher stated the thermostat in My Store has been set at 60 degrees She also indicated her business was up c from last year at this time, possibly due to people buying materials for handicraft projects since it was too cold to be outside for any length of time. The Stout Boutique business has been slowed by the weather conditions. Bonnie Workman indicated they too have set back their thermostat to 66 degrees upon the initial plea that merchants comply with means of conserving energy. Doug Pilcher of Pilcher s Shoe Store said hours for his store will remain the same, but temperatures are reading 60 degrees in the store Business has been slower for shoe sales due to the fact that the store’s out of town customer business has all but hatted The store, according to Pilcher, has sold completely out of boots. The Syracuse Hardware has been able to maintain regular store hours throughout the snow storm, and will continue to be open from 8-5:30 pm Eric Coburn stated sales have increased for the hardware with the demand being for insulation < materials, heaters, furnace filters, snow shovels, and "other items to help battle the cold." The hardware has also reduced temperatures to 64 degrees. Sweaters, sweatshirts, heavy pajamas, and blanket steppers

• It MIC IS TOUR PROBLEM 4 TRY DOUG PILCHER I | SHOE STOCK | IN SYRACUSE IftSIVCk MEN | NrWMNAB I AAAS«W M >4 WOMEN » • AASMrwIS A AAA »*»•>> 4 ASWruU AAAjmrwU I IE S mrw IS AA 4» 1 Nirv 14 ’ OSWrw 14 EICn«I4 1 •»x:x <•*•« » I »CI.ZZm O4mr„u . tietlWvl) El*»«u I tEEEEES*r«I) «4W»I1 EEEEEEtNtro M CCCFjCwtiU | Better Brtwa ItetiA Tfcrw BIKE I • ««• •«« •*«•* *ce*cemm* A »we »>*•■ ’co »■•••• , ■ •*« Wtsee ***♦ f a «»••* Ms e» tew Ce*'W««e Ccmmks I** **•— *'cw» , tWi»» Ww Wego A » c—re> t»uee-«E>« W*<e» •»>«•* | Uu»s» 4S> SMI o»*n 4 O«v» »T» 4 • I G PILCHER SHOE STORE) IISES MMaNAEMnSt UM 'll . SYRACUSE INO 44M1 I IL«CiI«4AIUHW»<HIH! f

have been the going items at the Little People Shoppe. Although the store was closed a couple of days when Sherry Keim was unable to drive into town, business for the most part has increased from last year. The shoppe’s thermostat has been set at 66 degrees and turned back to 55 degrees during the night. Leila Connolly has not officially changed the LaPetite Shoppe’s store hours, but has been closing early if there is no business. She has turned down the thermostat a few degrees but stated “We can’t keep it too cold, just in case gals want to try on clothes." Wawasee Village Merchants in the village have towered thermostats, but are maintaining regular store hours. Both drug stores. Hook’s and Thornburg's, have lowered temperatures with settings of 60 degrees and 65 degrees respectively. Comments from the managers indicated sales were sporadic. On days when travel was poor, business was halted, but as soon as people could dig their way out. business boomed. Two village merchants had record sales during January and February so far. Randy Sizemore of Sizemore Cycle Land, Inc. stated they are completely sold out of snowmobiles and are unable to acquire anymore from their suppliers (In fact all dealers in Indiana and southern Michigan are sold out.) Also gone are men’s snowsuits, gloves and snowmobile oil. Sizemore’s business definitely can be attributed to two and half months of snow, byt what puzzles

L \ *° save y° u cas " vw" X<\\ IP / ARE YOU MISSING l ° uton bHsbC) OUR NEW daily INTEREST I SAVINGS PROGRAM B Wake Up A Little Richer Every Morning! >x Join Your Neighbors In V M Taking Advantage Os This Extraordinary Savings Plan! HW PROVIDES INTEREST FROM DAY I annual INTEREST RATE OF DEPOSIT TO DAY OF WITHDRAWAL o/ PROVIDED BY THE TOTAI TEAM AT 5 r “ I THREE ANNUAL EFFECTIVE YIELD f I BANKS TO CO% n ; / serve you □•Z L STATE BANK < C-, ate <1 FISM HATCH*»Y LIA I manch 2BF SYRACUSE i«fu.h 856-2191 village »«anch O I l*V MAIN UPTOWN BAANCH l f f rou SERV,a BAMK,MG •• • Tj £/ y L . SAH DEPOSIT BOXES • NIGHT DEPOSITOR SERVICE J/* f • TPAVELEBS CHECKS LETTERS OF CPEDIT J f Us A ■ V • bank BY MAU • INVESTMENT SERVICE i J J f ~_/ f f Ik • SAVINGS ACCOUNT SEBVICE • TRANSFER SERVICE J 1 £ Pk v w x. .u S SAVINGS BONOS . WITHHELD TAX DEPOSIT SERVICE £ J J ■■PX X. . CHECKING ACCOUNT SERVICE . INSURANCE DEPARTMENT IX »>. • CASHIERS CHECKS TRAVEL AGENCY £ A I k/wk. • lOANS ’ ,NO4V,tXjAI RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS Jf r£ £ ro* 457 3165 fl* z^Z /

the owner is the increase in inquiries about cycles. He stated he had to hire another employee to uncrate and set up 1977 motorcycles to keep his customers happy. Another store fairing very well during the past weeks of severe weather is the Ben Franklin Store. According to Bob Marion sales have been good with a large turn over of snow shovels, thermal underwear, canned heat, antifreeze, gloves, hats, etc. The temperature setting of 65 degrees has not deterred shoppers. Mr. Marion said hours will remain the same unless further emergencies demand change. Clothing stores in the village have turned back their thermostats, but are maintaining their winter hours. Gene Smith of Manse’s said he also has turned window lights and neon signs off as a means of conserving energy. Terri Caskey indicated that business for Tom Socks Sportswear has picked up the last 10 days with thermal underwear, bulky sweaters and gloves being the big sale items. The Star Store along with Tom Socks has reduced temperatures. Anderson Decorating Center sold out supplies of insulation, weatherstripping, snow shovels, etc., early in the cold weather snap and were unable to acquire such items from suppliers. Consequently, business has been slow for the center. In another area business, Jack’s Sunoco, there has not been a noticable change. Jack Spitler commented people are keeping gas tanks full in an effort to keep moisture out of the tank and add more weight to their vehicle, but decreased travel has only evened out gas sales. Jumping stalled cars obviously was a major part of business on the extremely cold days. Area eating establishments were affected with very slow business when travel was curtailed by drifted roads, but bounced back to normal for the winter when people could move.

Mrs. Stafford of the Windjammer said customers verbally stated how glad they were to get away from home. She said customers were very understanding of lowered temperatures and ate, without complaints, with coats on. The situation for Jack Oswald of The Three Flags was very similar to The Windjammer’s.

Vr r It Happened In ... SYRACUSE

5 YEARS AGO. FEB. 9.1972 Jeff Hughes canned a beautiful 20 ft. jump shot with five seconds remaining in an emotion packed conference game with tall and talented Rochester Zebras, giving Wawasee an 80-78 victory, certainly one of the finest of the season! A new award in Cub Scout Pack 28 for general activities and leadership ability has been awarded to Tim Butt. Tim is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Burton Butt of r 3 Syracuse. Two more Syracuse youths, now making a total of four, will participate in the American Leadership Study Group of Worcester. Mass., for the 1972 Summer Study and Travel Program of European countries. Selected this past week were Rebecca Knisely, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Knisely of r 1 Syracuse, and Susan Clark, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jack Clark, r 3 Syracuse. Others attending will be Michael Harris and John Dean. 19 YEARS AGO, FEB. 8,1967 Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Brown

of 201 E. Washington street, Syracuse, announce the engagement of their daughter. Ginger Lou, to Sgt. Richard L. Bitner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herschel L. Bitner of Dewart Lake. With this issue The MailJournal begins its fifth year of publication. The paper was born on February 15, 1962, when Arch Baumgartner combined The Syracuse-Wawasee Journal, a paper he had recently purchased, with The Milford Mail, a paper he had owned fora number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Chet McCuen plan to spend February 18 and 19 in Chicago at an Albert Pick hotel as the result of being winners of a MJ contest last summer. The snow that fell Sunday, from 4 to 7 inches, blocked roads in broad mid-central Indiana area. School was dismissed, partially because of zero weather Monday morning, school administrators stated. 45 YEARS AGO, FEB. 11,1932 Seventy Masons, from Syracuse, Cromwell and Ligonier attended the initiation work and fish-supper held at the Syracuse Masonic hall, Monday evening. Dale LeClare was given the Third Degree initiation. Following this the fish supper cooked by C. W. Howard. Orval Klink, James Searfoss and Mel Rapp, was served. A daughter, Nadine May, was born to Mrs. Violet Coy,

We Are Proud To Announce ROGER LEE HENWOOD (Who Resides Near The Wawasee Fish Hatchery) Is Our New Mechanic We Invite You To Meet Him Soon TIM'S SUNOCO SR 15 South Milford

February 5, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. trank Cripe. According to the books of Syracuse’s health officer, Dr. B. F. Hoy, deaths exceeded births by three in Syracuse in 1931. There were 20 deaths and 17 births. There were 32 cases of measles reported, four cases of whooping coigh, one of chicken pox and one ofpnetimonia during the year. Ninety-six attended the birthday surprise jarty held at the Church of the Biethren, Monday, in honor of Mrs. Dan Klink’s birthday and that of Guy Symensma.

LEGALS NOTICE TO TAXMYERS OF ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS Notice is hereby given the taxpayers of Scott Township. Kosciusko County, Indiana, that the proper legal officers of said municipality at their regullr meeting place, on the 21st day of Februaly 1977, will con Sider the following additional appropriations which said officers consider necessary to meet the extraordinary emergency existing at this time. TOWNSHIP FUND Revenue Sharing Trust FUnd to Cemetery $620.00 NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that taxpayers appearing at suck meeting shall have the right to be heard tlereon The ad ditional appropriations as finally deter mined will be automatically referred to the State Board of Tax Commissioners, which Commission will hold a further hearing within fifteen days at the Cotnty Auditor's Office, of Kosciusko County. Indiana, or at such other place as may be designated. At such hearing, taxpayers objeding to any of such additional appropriationsmay be heard and interested taxpayers may inquire of the County Auditor, when and where such hearing will be held. Lowell Anglin, Trustee Scott Township F. 9-16