The Mail-Journal, Volume 16, Number 45, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 November 1979 — Page 4
THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., November 28,1979
4
Editorials
On Christmas With Thanksgiving behind us, thoughts of Christmas are uppermost in the minds of most people. Christmas is less than a month away and it’s time to make plans for the year’s major holiday. / In the United States Christmas has become a commercial bonanza and an ordeal to millions of mothers. It’s, thankfully, a magic time for the nation’s youngsters, primarily because of the Santa Claus legend. This is the time — well ahead of the holiday — to plan your activity or your family’s activity so that the true spirit of Christmas will predominate this year. A spirit of togetherness Iranians who own and operate restaurants and other retail establishments in the United States are having a tough time of it. Americans just won’t patronize them, what with the fuss going on in Teheran and the feverish anti-American spirit the bearded Khomeini has whipped up among his people. And why would the American people do otherwise? What is going on in Iran — the anti-American spirit and the holding of our citizens as illegal hostages — and the burning of the American Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, is forcing America to take another look at our overseas benevolence. The one real good thing that has come out of all this is an almost-visible new American spirit of togetherness. Since the Vietnam War we’ve been a people of bickering, complaining malcontents. Nothing is right; each of us has his pet gripes. It’s the president’s fault, or congress’s. Americans always pull together in a crisis. Isn’t it refreshing for a change to see Americans act as one? Maybe the Ayatollah has done something for us we haven’t been able to do for ourselves. We had a refreshing thought posed to us recently and it has refused to go away. A colleague said, “We could solve all our troubles if we’d just ‘Buy American’.’’ Aside from oil, we could purchase most of our needs from American firms. We could restore Chrysler to its former greatness, instead of building up Japanese auto manufacturers. Our income is derived from American enterprise; why should we not return it by purchasing American goods? We like the ring of “Buy American.” Think about it. December Hard to believe, again, that a year is coming to an end. December, 1979, is in sight, last month of the seventies! The eighties are sure to bring massive changes in American life&But, for a moment, a look back at the seventies reminds us of a troubled decade. Surely the energy crunch and problems ahead cannot be more traumatic than Vietnam and Watergate. . In summary, it’s good to put the seventies behind us, which began with promise but brought us the Vietnam war, a disrupted nation, a shattered dollar, a scandalized White House and ruinous inflation. We all hope for something better, in the eighties. Advent Sundays The custom of using a table wreath to enjoy the approach of Christmas and keep in mind its meaning is growing. The wreath contains four candles, one being lit on the first Sunday in Advent (December 2 this year) and two the next Sunday, three the next and four the Sunday before Christmas. ’ Many of our churches teach that advent is the season one should prepare for the advent of the Saviour on the 25th; in some there are elaborate rituals. But there is doubt when the practice began. Aside from specifically prescribed rituals or specific beliefs, the custom of using a wreath with four candies has been adopted by more and more Americans of all faiths, just as Santa Claus comes into almost every home. It’s a good custom; for the candles and wreath are reminders of a happy time to come. If it is an accepted custom in the home, lighting the candles at each of four successive Sunday dinner tables adds a warm and often a Christian atmosphere in the home. Washington's farewell On December 4,1783, General George Washington, who had done more than any to win independence for the American colonies, met with his t the corner of Pearl and Broad Streets in New York. His army had only recently occupied the city after its evacuation by the British. In the public room of Fraunces Tavern he spoke a brief farewell and asked each to bid him a personal goodbye. As each officer stepped before him Washington kissed his forehead; there were many tears among the hardened soldiers as Washington drank a toast to their future, thanking them for their services and loyalty to him and the cause of American freedom. It was the first legendary farewell of an American commander, after the birth of the nation, to be followed in later generations by many others, perhaps the most famous of all being that of another Virginian, Robert E. Lee, to the Army of Northern Virginia in April, 1865.
What others say —
Learning or lobbing Recently, within one week, we read two shocking stories about (New York City’s) high schools. The first story was that varsity high schodl coaches had their salary demands met by the raising of $380,000 in pledges from private citizens concerned about high school sports. The second story concerned the 45 per cent dropout rate from the same city high schools. We are reminded of the recent warning by University of California sociology professor Dr. Harry Edwards. He urged black youth to put academic considerations far ahead of athletics, especially any dreams of becoming professional athletes. Dr. Edwards, himself a black, said of youngsters: “They try to be an 0. J., or a Reggie J. or a Dr. J, and wind up a No J — no job at all.” The fact that approximately 40,000 young people quit high school each year is far more serious than any threat to a sports program. With the continuing plague of race bias in this nation, young blacks (and their parents) must recognize the imperative of usable skills in this highly competitive society. Again, we must commend Rev. Jesse Jackson’s campaign for academic excellence as being of more importance than well-developed muscles. The choice remains one of learning a skill or lobbing a ball. With so many good citizens justly concerned about their safety, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get adequate private funds to help salvage our high school dropouts. There are plenty of fine athletes at Rikers Island and at Sing Sing, but remember how they qualify to make those varsity squads. — New York Amsterdam News
TzF-'r | Jr/ > I
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas — only 26 days left I
Letters to the editor Follow the traditions
Dear Editor: We would like to take this opportunity to commend the adult support at the Wawasee High School basketball games. It was quite evident at the first two games that they were behind the team all the way! Their contagious enthusiasm will help the terrific school spirit continue to grow.
In defense of Isbell
Dear Editor: In a recent editorial (I assume written by Arch Baumgartner) the integrity and dedication of town board president Paul Isbell was brutally assailed for not spending time on town of Syracuse business and more specifically buying or attempting to buy Wawasee Airport by the town board. Since I am a taxpaying resident of Syracuse I believe the attack was totally unwarranted and typical of news media bias which obviously permeates our local newspaper. To set the record straight the town board president. Paul Isbell, receives SSOO per year for a thankless job. He. (Paul Isbell ) has donated at least 20 (twenty) hours per week to the town of Syracuse in addition to the numerous meetings of the town board. (He is paid SSOO per year only for town board meetings).
I'll sign my name
Dear Editor: I recently received an unsigned letter through the United States mail. I believe anyone who disagrees with anothers actions should have the courage to sign their name. The letter stated that all programs for the aged and senior citizens are publicly funded. This no doubt refers to a statement that I made at the November Senior Citizens rneeting that the Nutrition Site and Senior Citizens Club are two different organizations. The Nutrition Sity is funded in part by the fedejjil government vices at South BencrThe senior citizens clubs are local and an agency of the Kosciusko County United Way. Since hearing the governor express his views a number of times at conferences, I am fully
Woe to these foolish ministers!
Dear Editor: No reference to God and His Word in previous letters regarding Pope, etc! I am very heart-broken over what 1 hear and the writings of Ministers, (God is surely displeased) the way many are justifying and accepting: women ministers, divorces, abortion, ERA, etc. I don’t understand, is there another Bibfe; are they serving another Christ? The Christ 1 serve is. “the same yesterday, today and for ever” (Heb. 13:8). So what was sin 500 or 60 years ago is still sin today. The Lord I serve changes not, (Mai. 3:6) with worldly standards. My Bible clearly does not condone such practices. God’s Word is full of absolutes! Why are so many Ministers not preaching it? God commands (2 Tim. 4:2) “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” There is so much watering down and compromising of the Word of God. “Eaith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Man is attempting to bring Christ down to man's level, which gives the unsaved little desire to seek Christ as their Saviour, or the saved little desire to grow in faith. What if we; could go back 60 years ago in these liberal churches of today and tape their sermons and teachings, compare them with fundamental churches of today. God knows, most fundamental churches are too liberal today; what would He say
The adults can enhance this by following established traditions of a game at Wawasee. Wear your green and gold! Cheer until the first field goal is made! Follow the directions of the cheerleaders! Let's show the Warriors that we think they are number one! Wawasee Boosters. Inc Phil Metcalf, president
The current mess in the local sewage plant was not caused by the current town board but by those who pushed annexation for their own selfish gains and the previous town board. (Paul Isbell is filling an unexpired term of a previous town board member.) It is not the responsibility s ®! the Town of Syracuse and its taxpaying citizens (retired citizens such as Paul Isbell included) to provide the local businesses and corporations with an airport. If they want Wawasee Airport, let them form a financial corporation to buy it as a part of the free enterprize system. Paul Isbell has than his share for the town of Syracuse and I, for one, think he deserves better treatment from our only local paper! Sincerely, Carl R. Brandon 707 Medusa St. Syracuse. Ind.
aware of his views on senior citizens. After spending several months getting the Nutrition Site to Syracuse and being site director for two and one-half years, 1 fully support the nutrition program, 1 have never discouraged persons from attending the site and have told many about the program. 1 know how much several depend on the meals five days a week I do not know if this writer knows the facts, there is no way I can close a nutrition site, that is up to the Council on Aging. If anyone wants to write to me 1 will give them the facts, and I will sign my name. Georgia C. Buster President, Turkey Creek Senior Citizens Executive Director Turkey Creek Senior Citizens Center
about today’s liberal ones? If there’s another way to be saved, the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross in vain! Surely God, would not humble Himself to become a man. and a humiliating death if there was another way. God will judge us on His absolute and infallable Word. May God have mercy on these Ministers on Judgement Day, they will have to answer for all the souls that are lost through their Ministry. These Ministers are leading our Beloved Country down the path of destruction, (for as the Church goes, the Country goes). Chauncey L. Bennett ■ 72850 CR 23, r 1 New Paris, Indiana 46553 Phone: (219)831-2797
THE MAIL JOURNAL (U.S.P S. 325 840> Published by The Mail Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse. Indiana 46567. Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: $lO per year in Kosciusko County; sl2 outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of add ress forms to The Mail Journal. P O. Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542
tfcJZIN AROUND CUJfe
LAKELAND RETAIL merchants are anticipating a “normal” Christmas sales rush, in spite of a downturn in the national economy. A cursory survey of retailers revealed this fact this week. With Friday — the day following Thanksgiving — being the biggest singlb shopping day in pre-Christmas sales, and in spite of rainy, inclement weather throughout that day. sales were good. People were out shopping. No one is denyingthat there is a definite slowing of the national (and local) economy, but Christmas will be observed as usual, if with a little less expensive presents. Locally, the economy is not all that bad. There has been a definite downturn in the recreational vehicle business, to be sure, everyone this reporter spoke to recognizes, and there has been a backing off in the real estate business, due to the high cost of property and high interest rates, but loans are being made nonetheless. One local realtor looked at it this way: “We just have to try a little harder than before.” he said. A spokesman of a local lending institution said they were surprised that loans have held up as well as they have in the face of constantly rising interest rates. At the time, with the prime rate being 15 :! i per cent, the State Bank of Syracuse is charging 13 per cent on loans on primary dwellings, with a 30 per cent down payment. Jeff Wells, of the bank's loan department, quickly admitted that mortgage loans are down, calling it a “depressed market,” adding, “but we are still making some mortgage loans.” The high cost of money has also been reflected in the interest rates on 182-day Money Market Certificates, which stand at this writingat 12.035 percent. One Syracuse retail merchant commented that the "down time" at the big Dana plant has had a depressed effect on his business, noting, "but this will correct itself in time.” He was referring to the closing of the plant for retooling to manufacture a front end axle for the Ford Motor Co. Gradually, employees at the plant are being called back to work, and by February this lay-off period should correct itself, and by early 1980 the plant should employ more people than ever before. All this time the plant has seen a rebuilding and retooling program at an estimated cost of $13.5 million. Another Syracuse retailer commented. "Our gross sales are up in dollars spent, but our profit is down from a year ago. " This, also, has been the cry of local retailers — finding their costs up and profits down due to constant rising labor costs, shipping costs and general overhead like heat and power. Christmas lights went up in the community over the week end and Santa’s appearance in Pickwick Place Sunday afternoon brought a breath of the Christmas spirit to the community. (Note: Santa met with the Syracuse elementary school choir at the school and rode on the fire truck with the young carolers to his uptown rendezvous with a flock of eager youngsters.) “Right now a little snow would help everyone get in the Christmas mood and help sales," commented a Wawasee Village retailer. As far as the long range look at the local economy is concerned, it looks bright, what with big things happening at Dana at Syracuse and Brock Manufacturing Co. and Chore-Time Equipment Co. in Milford. — o — WANDA MOSER has moved into her new home on the SyraWeb Road, just across from the high school, and has the other half of her duplex for rent. This is news, inasmuch as Mrs. Moser was in her home on January 6 of this year, a Saturday morning, when the house exploded, blowing it to smitherines. She miraculously escaped, shaken but unharmed. A leak in the gas line at the street caused gas to follow the line into the house, causing the explosion. Meantime, Mrs. Moser has been living at several locations in the community, spending some time with her son Tim. a resident of the North Webster community.
JK’"” vur Sr9ktr a Tnt isrro WHOLE COUNTRY c HAS fel g GAS PAINS > I lb
SIGN OF THE TIMES — The highway sign in front of Lakeland Realty at 312 South Huntington Street continues to be an attraction to motorists and pedestrians with its changing limericks. Real estate broker Dave McGrew, owner of Lakeland Realty, is shown pointing to the current attraction. McGrew states, "I’ve had all sorts of comments on this sign." The sign was the subject of McGrew’s talk to his fellow Rotarians at their meeting last Tuesday noon.
LENA WARNER. 300 East Carroll Street, left Monday for her Winter Haven, Fla., home at 36 Azalea Drive. Lucerne Park, and plans to remain there until early April. — o — TAL SMITH and Tim Pinnick are the new owners of the Liquor Locker. 718 South Huntington Street, having purchased (he business from Lenore Schacht of Waco Drive, now spending some time in Florida, The transaction took place in October. Tai is associated with the Counting House Bank in North Webster and plans to continue that responsibility. His associate is from Warsaw — o — OVERHEARD: THEY used to put alcohol in their car’s radiation, now they put it in the gas tank. — O’JOHN AND Pat Walker and their family are now living comfortably at their new home at 5914 Mirando Drive, Fort Wayne. At home are Coleen and David, and Steve, married in Sep-
31 l oh P” * • I -JU IW:A r i I
A DEER IN HER HOUSE — Karen Weldy said she was "scared to death” at about 4:50 Monday afternoon when a large 200-pound doe deer jumped through the window of her Kale Island home, looked around, then jumped back out the window. She had just picked six-month-old Amanda off the floor to feed her when the deer landed right where Amanda had been lying. Neighbor Jim Adams heard Karen scream and quickly went to her aid. Adams said the deer, apparently frightened by a passing car. jumped through a storm window and quarter-inch plate glass. Adams described the noise thus. "It sounded like a head-on collision.” He added. "What a night!” Adams is shown here in front of the broken window.
"People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise." Somerset Maugham "Nothing is so useless as a general maxim." Macaulay
tember, is working with his dad at Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co John, manager of First Charter in Syracuse for nearly to years, is responsible for production in eight midwestern states While in Syracuse they were residents at 113 W.K. Long Drive. — o — HEBE'S SOMETHING interesting. The Internal Revenue Service is looking for a couple people in Carroll County. Imogene T Bouvier and Eugene H. Brumley, both of Delphi, are due for IRS refund checks. According to a list issued by the IRS, 742 individuals and 137 businesses, including Bouvier and Brumley, did not receive the 1978 income tax refunds Their checks were returned to the IRS as undeliverable. Either because they have moved or their return addresses were incorrect. $220,926.05 has not yet been refunded in Indiana. The IRS says anyone due a refund which they did not receive should call them. — From the Carroll County Comet