The Mail-Journal, Volume 15, Number 10, Milford, Kosciusko County, 29 March 1978 — Page 3

Leisure Time

Afghanistan — (Continued from page 1) police. The villagers are fiercely partisan and jealous of their small domains. Many of them carry loaded guns strapped on their backs, and meet intruders with a for boding hostility. “Drugs are not good for the country that produces them nor for the country that markets them,” he said. One had the feeling not much would be done to curtail the drug traffic. Opium is the principal drug crop. The President said an effort is being made to have farmers grow alternate crops. He also noted that drug addiction is no problem in Afghanistan. He alluded to a two-way drug traffic: “We send you drugs and you send us back pharmaceuticals.” He said he supports peace based on justice in the Mid-East, an innocuous answer if we ever heard one. Inasmuch as Afghanistan has no railroads and poor roads, the question of Iran financing a railroad to Russia came up. President Daoud said roads and the proposed railroad were getting high priority in his country. On President Carter’s Human Rights thrust, he said, “No one is against human rights, but implementarion by concrete means is the problem. This led the President to the question of political prisoners — and he admitted to having some. When pressed about how many, he said, “I don’t have the figure but I’ll get it for you.” It was never forthcoming. He did say they would be brought to trial, however. Women’s Lib President Daoud, when he was Prime Minister some years ago, led a movement to free the women of Afghanistan by having them remove their veils —a sort of women’s lib movement. This was ardently opposed by conservative Muslims, a source of continued opposition to his government. When the President first sat down for the interview he said, “I feel like I’m sitting for an examination.” When th* '’on-

jz 3Rf«tauront tSR 13S — Phone 457-4955 — Syracuse JJ FINE DINING & COCKTAILS 2; NEW SPRING HOURS Open 7 Days — April 1 st Fine Dining & Cocktails 5 P.M. To 10 P.M. Serving Sundays 11:30 A.M. To 8 P.M. Wednesday Special ! SENIOR CITIZEN I SMORGASBORD B Dessert And Salad Bar J Open Every Wednesday 12-8 * Eby's Pines Family Restaurant | 848-4520 l 3 Miles East Os Bristol On SR 120

| | } \ Igt "V Ur- IB II * ; F> x II I ♦'~£gfr A / I B w ’ ■ \ V ' , 'A ■'■ 19 V /♦ 1 / 7 g | '<' xk. b I , \ ; ; -M

ference was over there was another round of handshaking, and Della told him, “You passed the exams all right.” He got a hearty laugh out of this. Literacy in Afghanistan is at 10 per cent of the population, and it’s a fierce military state. The President said they want to attract tourists, but need more hotels. There isn’t all that much here to attract tourists. Afghanistan is landlocked, forbidding, and is not likely to attract foreign investments with police breathing down one’s neck constantly. Meet The Ambassador Before we met with President Daoud we went to the U.S. Embassy where we had a press conference with U.S. Ambassador Theodore L. Eliot, Jr., a Massachusetts native and Harvard graduate. About 6’6”, he had an easy smile, proved urbane and a real student of Afghanistan. We were all impressed with him. The Ambassador went with us to meet President Daoud. Arch asked the Ambassador if he ever played basketball in Indiana. “No,” he smiled, but in our eyes he appeared a real candidate for the Pacers. He explained Afghanistan’s foreign policy, our relations to this country and our program here. He said the Afghans have a non-alignment policy. It is poor with no weapons of any kind and, like other countries hereabouts, are in the onimous shadow of Bear Russia. He said the biggest aid donor to Afghanistan is the, Soviet Union, next West Germany. The Soviet presence is felt here very much. The local economy is closely linked to Russia. He said the Iranians are not coming through on aid as promised, a source of tension. The Ambassador said the primary U.S. interest here is regional stability, with the U.S. encouraging good relations between countries in this part of the world. America’s national policy is humanitarian — to try to help disadvantaged peoples of the world. He added that the opium problem continues to be contentious with us. There are only 225 Americans here, he said, and 90 in the Peace Corps, mostly in

Kabul. The Americans are doing quite a job in the health field, also the Ambassador noted. So far, America has given SSOO million aid to Afghanistan, at the rate of about S2O million per year, with programs to assist the rural poor, in such things as primary education, health, agriculture and food distribution. He went on to talk about the small military program, with Afghan officers going to the U.S. for training. He said local people smuggle opium into Pakistan and Tran over boarders that are remote and hard to police. Also natives here are going into Iran to work, much like the Mexican “wetbacks”- are going into the U.S. (Note: An ash tray in the Ambassador’s office in front of us had a sticker on it that read: No Smoking. Oxygen in use. People are trying to breathe.) In the afternoon there were meetings with the Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Waheed Abdullah, and the Acting Minister of Planning, Mohammad Khan Jalallar. It was his predecessor who was assassinated. These meetings were mundane, going over much of the same territory we already noted. Mr. Abdullah, who had spent considerable time in the U.S., had kind words for America’s Mid-West, for which he received numerous nods of approval. The good Ambassador held a reception for our group of journalists at his residency, with 245 in attendance, where we had an opportunity to meet his striking wife and other members erf the American presence in Afghanistan. * Among those we met were 21-year-old Maynard Mast of Nappanee, a Marine guard in the Embassy here. He’s the son of Mrs. Sylvia Mast of Nappanee, just 10 miles from our home. Another man we met was Joseph C. Miles of Plymouth, general services officer in charge of maintenance of all U.S. buildings here. “Tell everyone back home ‘hello’,” he said, although we know few people in common. He seemed so glad to talk to someone from Indiana. Meet Carol Erb An unexpected pleasure was meeting Carol Erb in Kabul. Carol is a second cousin to Sarah Slabaugh of Milford, and before we left home, Sarah gave us Carol’s name and said, “Give her a call. She’ll be glad to see someone from home.” Actually, Carol is a native of Zurich, Ontario, Canada, and is sponsored by the Mennonite Board of Missions of Elkhart in her work here in the NOOR (National Organization for Ophthalmic Rehabilitation) eye clinic. She is now in her sixth year here and plans to re-up for two more years. She met us at the Inter-Con and took us around the city in her Volkswagen station wagon, showing us the sights. Finally, we went to the clinic where several hundred natives are treated each day. Some take as long as 10 days to come to the clinic, they are that remote. It was Monday, a holiday, and the clinic was closed, but Carol walked around the wards and talked in Afghan with in-patients, many of them recovering from eye surgery. Carol said eye problems among the natives are horrendous. After 14 years working as a secretary in her native Canada, Carol said she didn’t feel a fulfillment. But she must feel a commitment here. She refers to herself as a “secretary,” but it is quickly evident she is much more than that. She had words of high

praise for the few doctors who work here for extremely low pay — but what a service to humanity! We can report to the Mennonite Board of Missions that they are getting their money’s worth in Carol Erb. She has us to her home for dinner, bu earlier she drove us to Stales, a small town famous for the brightly colored pottery produced there. It was 8,000 feet above sea level and our ears began to pop. It seemed so primitive. Carol lives in a home with several others, including three young German girls, all doing volunteer work. It is Carol’s job to keep the records, plan the menus" among other household chores. They have a cook whom they pay S7O per month, and he lives well with his family of six on this amount. We had an excellent meal, and had the best coffee we had since leaving the U.S. on February 3. After dinner two couples showed, up, one from England, the other from New Zealand, who were connected with world missionary work. They informed us that they are not allowed in Afghanistan or other Muslim countries as Christian missionaries, but could do relief work, and witness by their own lives. At Carol’s we met a Texan named Arthur Oaxaca, who is with the Peace Corps, teaching English to Afghans. He said he has 218 students, mostly adult — “who really want to learn English.” Right now classes are out, since there is no heat in the classrooms. Art is working the NOOR clinic for little or no pay. We wanted to see his quarters, and he took us there. The quarters are fenced in, and living for Art Oaxaca is spartan, to be sure. Most of us wouldn’t care to live on a concrete floor, mud roof, using a hot plate and sleeping on a cot. Art said, “It isn’t bad when you get used to it.” Asked about salary, he said it is about $240 per month, “and I get by very well.” He gave us a new respect for the Peace Corps. A student (adult) lives in a small concrete block shed on the premises as a watchman. When we left Art’s we noticed the policemen —appearing every block or two — and whistling to one another periodically an “All’s well.” We asked Carol Erb, if she should ever decide not to come back to her job at the NOOR clinic at Kabul, who in this wide world would ever take her place. “Oh, somebody will,” she said with a wisp of a smile. We had a hunch she knows better. The people that will make the sacrifice this pretty young lady is making for humanity are and few between. REAL MENU THURSDAY, MARCH 30 Grapefruit juice, chopped pork, creamed corn, buttered parsley potatoes, whole wheat bread, margarine, fruited gelatin, milk, tea, coffee FRIDAY, MARCH 31 Tomato juice, chicken par-mesan-Italian style, baked potato, green beans, potato roll, margarine, peach half, milk, tea, coffee MONDAY, APRIL 3 Tomato juice, macaroni and cheese, green beans, gelatin with fruit, bread, margarine, milk, tea, coffee TUESDAY, APRIL 4 Pineapple juice, beef patties with gravy, mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes with bread cubes, yellow cake with chocolate frosting, rye bread, margarine, milk, tea, coffee WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 Grapefruit juice, Hawaiian style pork dinner, parsley buttered potatoes, orange glazed carrots, bread, margarine, plums, milk, tea, coffee Annual egg hunt set in North Webster North Webster Lions Club postponed their annual Easter Egg Hunt last Saturday because of the ice storm. It will be held this Saturday, April 1, at 10 a.m. on the North Webster School playground. Several prizes will be awarded in each age group. The age groups are grades one, two and three; grades four, five and six; and playschool. There will be 100 dozen eggs for youngsters to find. Dave Rieder is the egg hunt chairman. Boston was once known as Beantown because it was famous for its baked beans.

Poster contest winners named The winners of the 1977-78 Scientific Temperance Education Poster Contest have been announced. First place in group I (sixth grade) was given to Mike Garrard. Lincoln School. Second place went to Karl Ottersberg, Madison School and third place went to Greg Hughes, Washington School. In group 11, winners include Robbie McDowell, Milford, first; Trish Mullins, Syracuse, second and Mandy Siegfried, Milford, third. Honorable mention was given to Lori Miller, June Oliver, David Krebs, June Cumings and Angela Ebersole in group I and to Jeff Sylvester and Rod Vanlaningham in group 11. The first prize winners will go to the state contest. Certificates of appreciation will go to all the schools that participated. The posters will be on display in Warsaw store windows and in the fair booth later this year. The contest was sponsored by the Kosciusko County WCTU for the 19th year. The posters presented messages regarding alcohol, narcotics and tobacco as they related to the home, social welfare, health, crime and safety. Judges for the contest were Gloria Carson and Kevin Nichols, senior art majors at Grace College and Mrs. Russell Harshman, Winona Lake. M9B By CAROLYN GROVE This year National Library Week is celebrated on April 2-8. We hope you will take this opportunity to visit your library. There are quite a few new books in the children’s room. We have more Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries and a few new Charlie Brown titles. The children enjoyed decorating their own Easter eggs and returning them to the library on or before Saturday, March 25. These eggs were used for the egg hunt after the Story Hour on that day. Inside the eggs they found their Easter treats. We have these new books in the adult department: “Listening Valley by D. E. Stevenson “Saraband for Two Sisters” by Philippa Carr “Lament for a Lost Lover” by Philippa Carr. Writing as Philippa Carr, best-selling author Victoria Holt offers a sparkling historical romance set in 17th-century England. “The Amulet of Fortune” by Susannah Broome “Quiet as a Nun” by Antonia Fraser “Special People” by Julie Nixon Eisenhower “Margaret the Tragic Princess” by James Brought “Jack London, Sailor on Horseback” by Irving Stone Senior Homemakers meet at Cline's The Milford Senior Homemakers met in the home of Mrs. Robert Cline on March 21. The meeting was called to order by Lynn Kaiser and the pledges were given by Karen Haney and Melissa Tom. There were 13 members present. Susie Hoover gave a reading, “The Easter Hymn.” Laura Haney led in singing, “Here Comes Peter Cottontail.” Club members discussed new business. Penny Hoover lead in games. Karen Haney gave a demonstration on drawer dividing. The next meeting is to be held at Penny and Susie Hoover’s house on April 18. Refreshments were served by Mrs. Cline and the meeting was adjourned. HOSTS GEORGIA COUPLE Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Custer, Milford, hosted Mr. and Mrs. Michael Elder of Atlanta, Ga., last week. An open house was held for the visiting couple Sunday. Michael Elder is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Elder, Atlanta, Ga. A South American bird called the hoatzin has claws on its wings when young —which helps it climb about in the trees.

J; ‘iSj V ILx. Ww* ■ yr m . B 'ill mm '- 'ai - f~ f 23* Jr 1 s^BhHKI if PRACTICE HARD — The pit orchestra for “Hello Dolly” practices hard two times a week because the music is so difficult. Above, members are concentrating on one of the numbers with David Blackwell, director. The orchestra is made up of 30 students and Ervin Orban, string teacher.

Orchestra works hard on its part of musical production

By LESLIE WHITMAN When most people go to a musical, such as “Hello Dolly,” all the attention is put on the characters on stage. Little do most people realize the hard work and practice that goes on just below the stage — in the pit orchestra. David Blackwell, director of the production, said the music for “Hello Dolly” is “horribly hard” this year. The score comes from the Broadway production and is designed for professional musicians. He said, “I’m really amazed on how well they’re doing in spite of it.” The orchestra, made up of 30 students, practices for two hours each Tuesday and Thursday after school. The final two weeks before the show is put on, it will rehearse every night with the entire cast. Taking It Slow t Blackwell says he only takes a few selections at a time while rehearsing. “We’re kind of taking it slow, to get it right the first time and then keep reviewing.” A few of the students have played in past school productions which helps the other musicians. Ervin Orban, string teacher in the corporation, will also be playing first violin in the orchestra. Blackwell says, “We’ve always had a musical director in the school play. It helps us out a lot.” The score fear “Hello Dally” has 30 tunes of different length. Most of the songs are rag time and marches even though there are a few ballads and love songs. A waltz and polka are also featured. Hard Music Blackwell said probably the hardest thing in the music is the keys. Quite a few flats and sharps have to be played. The score also calls for a lot of high notes. The timing and quick change from slow music to fast are two other areas the musicians are

THE WAWASEE CHAPTER Os FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA Would Like To Thank The Following For Their Generous Support Os Our Recent FFA Sieve Auction Lee And Norma Adams Richard And Clara Kaiser Jesse Beer Farms, Inc. Larry And Janet Kammerer Boulder Run Farms Doyle Kolberg Glen And Barbara Davis Lakeland Realty, Inc. Crestview Farms Dave McGrew Everett, Ray, And Dennis Dorr Lester And Eloise Mast Don And Roberta Ferverda Roberts Farm Philip And Evelyn Fawley Bernard, Alveda, And Jon Roberts Grady Farms Ruch Service-Milford Glen, Jerry And Mark Grady Robert Ruch Steve And Marceil Haab S-J And Company Eugene And Esther Kenwood Joe, J. C. And Kevin Schrock Hilliana Farms Lester And Ethel Stabler Carlton And Ronn Beer Leon And Dorothy Tucker Robert And Betty Hall Brian And Doris Wall Greg And Paula Kaiser Leon And JoAnn White Maurey Beer Fred And Dianne Weisser And A Very Special Thank You To RONN BEER Who Served As Our Auctioneer From The Members Os The WAWASEE FFA CHAPTER

Wed., March 29,1978 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

having some problems with. Blackwell says, “You’re backing up vocalists all the time. A lot of the music is geared to scene change. They have to watch and time everything.” The director himself has to watch the cues and changes on stage because they determine when the orchestra is to come in. He said, “Often I get so involved in the thing I lose track of the cues. The kids help me out.” Besides directing the orchestra, Blackwell also directs the characters on stage and behind stage. From his stand in front of the orchestra, he has the musical score, the speaking score plus a telephone so he can relay messages back stage. “Before I just did the orchestra and I thought that was hard. I didn’t know I had it so easy.” This is the first year he is in charge of the entire production. The orchestra has pretty much kept to the original score, even though some parts had to be cut because they were too difficult to play or didn’t fit into the. time sequence on stage. Blackwell added, however, “This year we’ve hardly had to cut anything.” Blackwell said the orchestra is just rehearsing on its own now and not with the characters. “We try not to get the orchestra in until we’ve got everything else pretty much done.” He said the orchestra would get bored sitting around during regular rehearsals. The characters practice during rehearsals with Jill Sliger, pianist, who will also play

wlfcr V unlimited 219/457-5327 - Days 219/457-4677 - After 5:00 P.M. P.0.80X 751 • SYRACUSE, INDIANA 46567

with the orchestra. The final two weeks before curtain time is when the orchestra and characters really practice together. The director says, “The last two weeks are to fix things and put the orchestra together.” “Hello Dolly” will be presented April 21 and 22 at Wawasee High School. Library—- — from page 1) bring it before the town board. She said she hopes to know the feelings of the majority of the community by April 10. The next step would be to decide an the location and type of library——a branch from an existing library or obtaining special legislation such as Millersburg did. Mrs. Shock added that the project is just in the response and planning stages now. “We just want the support of the people,” she commented. Helping the library aid with this project are Robert Hamman, Syracuse Elementary School principal; Greg Smith, town board member; state senator John Augsburger; and representative Thames L. Mauzy. Swans communicate with a loud, trumpet-like sound.

3