The Mail-Journal, Volume 16, Number 48, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 December 1979 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 19,1979

4

Editorials

Christmas 1979 The major religious feast of the year and principal holiday of the western world, commemorating the birth of Jesus, is celebrated on December 25, though it is not really certain this is the date on which Jesus was born. Various scholars have fixed the date in April, May, January and in other months. Christmas was first observed in the second and third centuries, and our * name for the day dates from the eleventh century in England and “Cristes Maesse.” The giving of presents, which is a solidly entrenched custom in the United States, was taken from the Roman custom of exchanging gifts on January 1. German Christmas carols are traced back to the eleventh century and British and French songs, to the thirteenth. The custom of decorating the house in green stems from an early English belief that certain flowers blossomed at Christmas. The use of mistletoe stems from the Druids, who long revered the plant. The Christmas tree was first used in Germany. Some scholars believe the first occasion was in Strassburg in 1605, though legend has it that Martin Luther decorated in green branch in his home in the preceding century. The tree did not appear in England or the United States until about 1840. The belief in Santa Claus, as a jolly man who brought gifts, also comes to us from the Germans, derived from the legend of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus is a German corruption of the name.) Fireworks are commonly used in the South at Christmas, and this stems from Italy, Spain and France, where the custom is the same. It is thought the practice was introduced by French settlers in the Louisiana area. Christmas was, interestingly, observed earlier in the South than in the North. Its greatest meaning across the world, and in our churches and among Americans, is to spread the love of one’s fellow man and peace on earfti. When attention is turned to these great ideals and goals, Christmas serves the Christian purpose and is helpful to all mankind. Christmas parols The custom of singing Christmas carols on the eve of Christmas came to us from England, though for a time it — and other Christmas observances — were banned in Puritan New England. As Puritan pressure relaxed, a custom of placing lighted candles in homes began in Boston and spread to various parts of the country. And the English caroling custom, which had long been accepted in the South, soon penetrated into more restrictive New England. For many years it was the custom of night watchmen to gather together and sing carols and, in the South, students took up the custom. 1979's tree Millions are now buying or about to buy Christmas trees. Most families who do so can buy living trees with roots in balls or pots which can be replanted after the holiday season. It’s a fine way to help conserve, to stop waste and to beautify yards, estates and farms. The Christmas tree, brought to America from Germany, is a venerable tradition and a beautiful part of our Christmas custom. But it can be even more meaningful if most of the trees used are not killed in the process. It’s true that trees with balls or in pots are more expensive. But then one is investing not only in a Christmas-decorated living room but in the landscape. And each tree, in future years, can be remembered for the year it was used to celebrate Christmas and planed to beautify the outdoors, a nice reminder of treasured memories of Christmases gone by — and living still.' Valley Forge One of the most discouraging Decembers for Americans was that in 1777, after the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, which led to the occupation of the nation’s capital at Philadelphia that autumn. Washington had kept his army intact, which numbered about 11,000 men, and he moved it into a strong position about twenty-four miles northwest of Philadelphia. One reason was that the position was easily situated for defense and another was that Congress was then sitting in York; and from Valley Forge, Washington was in a position to block the British if they moved on the temporary capital. Washington encamped there exactly 202 years ago on the 19th (1777). It was to be perhaps the hardest winter for his army because the commissary department and quartermaster general failed to deliver adequate supplies to his troops. But under the stern training of German-born Baron Steuben, the men were turned into a disciplined army. After that gloomy winter, American hopes began to rise. The British evacuated Philadelphia in June, 1778, and Washington reoccupied it on the 18th. The epic news reached Philadelphia on October 22, 1781, that Lord Cornwallis had surrendered to Washington on the 19th at Yorktown, Virginia, ending the Revolutionary War.

What others say —

Synfuel method worth using Much of the sl9 billion that Congress approved last week for development of a synthetic fuels industry could be wasted because top energy officials insist on re-inventing the wheel. This nation probably could save billions on research and development, not to mention years of crucial time, simply by utilizing 40-year-old German methods of changing coal to fuel oil and then refining it to gasoline. Adolf Hitler had ordered the synthetic fuels program in 1936, as he sought to free Germany from dependence on foreign oil. Three years later, as his Nazis launched World War 11, the Germans had 19 synthetic fuel plants operating. By 1944 the Nazis were producing 2,900,000 barrels a month, about three-fourths of their wartime gasoline needs. The German synfuel-production secrets are contained in some 500,000 documents captured when the Nazis were vanquished in 1945, according to two Texas A & M professors who have been trying to translate and sort the papers, while the U.S. Department of Energy stubbornly refuses to help. - The DOE doubts the valueW the records which it says were inspected after the war. But Professors Kurt J. Irgolic and Arnold Krammer, in charge of the university project, say less than 10 per cent of the material was examined, many of the packing boxes containing them had never been opened, and that any work done back then was not detailed enough to be of any use. Modern synfuel plants are still some 15 years from being built commercially in the United States, according to energy experts. Until then, the German technology is proven and waiting to be used. There is no reason the U.S., with a greatly advanced technology, couldn’t improve on the German methods, just as the U.S. improved on German rocketry technology, which was the basis of the modern space program. President Carter should override his energy agency and order a crash program to translate the German records and utilize whatever applicable information they contain. . The U.S. has enough coal to last for centuries. Methods must be found to convert it to gasoline before reserves in the volatile Middle East are lost to us. — FORT MYERS NEWS-PRESS

1 lOOBh i A living nativity at the Syracuse United Pentecostal Church shows the real meaning of Christmas.

Voice of the people A column on the opinions of the people of the Lakeland area ...

QUESTION “How do you put Christ into Christmas?"

■L. Jl Pat Bartow Syracuse "We have a manger my husband made out of sticks and straw. Our daughter arranges it and makes a bed for baby Jesus Also, by attending our Christmas programs at church and sharing things with our neighbors who don’t have anybody .”

F* ft W <■ I■* \ ' ■***% JF 'Wit X x Robert Haininan Syracuse “It probably should be how we keep Christ in Christmas. By remembering that Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth and that the reason we give gifts at Christmas originates from when the wise men gave Him gifts at His birth and then as we give gifts we should remember what took place. Christmas, like Thanksgiving and Easter along with other holidays should be remembered more than once a year. It should be a part of our life.”

17 j' ’* / a K ~ */jfl Jean Koher Syracuse “By doing things for others I would say and participating in church activities.” Rosalyn Jones Syracuse (Librarian, Syracuse Public Library) “I guess by quiet meditation, by reading the Bible and by reminding ourselves of that first Christmas."

Marilyn Brown Milford “We center our Chrsitmas around the church and we carry the theme of the creche into our home It’s been a highlight in my family growing up and the story of Jesus’ birth.” Rev. Paul Steel / (Pastor. Calvary Vnhed Methodist Church) Z Syracuse “I think you put Christ in Christmas be believing in Him. Also bygiving gifts that are from the heart.” Pat Eldridge. Syracuse “I don’t know how you’d have it with out Him. He is Christmas. We go to church and have a candlelight service. He’s just there. We wouldn’t need to celebrate it if Christ wasn’t a part of it.”

W R IL** J Rick Brouillett associate pastor Milford Christian Church "At home we teach the children not just to receive gifts but to give and find more excitement in than receiving. They're just preschoolers, but they find a lot of excitement and joy in giving.” Charlie Harris * Syracuse (Owner, Harris Funeral Home) "Christ IS in Christmas.” Melinda Esinger r 1 Box 178A Syracuse (Secretary, Bud’s Body Shop) "We have to stress the meaning with our children when they are little. You have to start out teaching them the true meaning of Christmas. Then they’ll know that the true meaning of Christmas is not Santa Claus and giving gifts." Earline Fisher Milford “I put Him in Christmas as it being Christ’s birthday and we should celebrate it as Him being our Savior and Lord. He gave His all for use and died on the cross.”

taiziN AROUND CUslz

THE ANNOUNCED retirement of West Noble schools’ superintendent Glen Longenbaugh last week focused attention on the Longenbaugh family. While Glen is well known in the Lakeland community, his older brother Loren, a resident of 542 South Main Street. Syracuse, and a long time school teacher in this community is much better known here. ‘ V—Wi’-; id GLEN LONGENBAUGH The Glen Longenbaughs have purchased a small home at Knapp Lake in Noble County and will spend most of their time there, plus a trip now and then to Florida and elsewhere His retirement will become effective July 1. 19X0. he told the West Noble school board a week ago. giving the hoard ample time to screen replacement applicants. He has been superintendent of the West Noble Community Schools for the past Hi years, since 19(>4; he served as Ligonier High School principal from 1955 to 1961. Mrs. Longenbaugh is a teacher in the West Noble . Schools. The retiring superintendent was born in Oakley. 111., but he and Loren consider themselves "naturalized Hoosiers.” His first teaching job was a replacement for his brother Loren, in Lansing (Cook County). 111. He taught at Washington Center south of Columbia City in Whitley County, then finally went to Ligonier as principal Glen and Loren are members of a family of five, children of a minister, who found their home in the teaching profession. Loren, incidentally, retired last May after 33 years teaching at the Syracuse school. He is well remembered as prime mover in the summer recreation program at Syracuse, and now fills his time by bowling two nights a week and being a league secretary.

Letters to the editor

Another letter on ducks

Dear Editor: In answer to the letter by Jim Avery, regarding the ducks on the channel. What Jim does not realize is these ducks have been hatched and raised on Syracuse Lake and the channel for a number of years. They are not a true wild mallard and then there are some domestic white ducks and they have interbred. These ducks are a beautiful sight. Our large window overlooks the channel and my husband, who has fed the ducks

103% of goal

Dear Editor: 1 would like to formally thank the people of Kosciusko County for their generosity in this year's United Way campaign! Thepeople of Kosciusko County have pledged over $339,000, which is 103 per cent of the goal —a tremendous effort in people helping people! In spite of the economy, the people of this county have shown an outstanding willingness to share their good fortune with other people in this area. The volunteers, who made this United Way campaign extremely successful, are to be commended for their efforts. Many hours of their time were contributed, without compensation, to make this year most successful for the 21 member agencies of the United

I agree to a point

Dear Editor: In response to Mr. Avery's comment about not feeding the ducks on the channel, I agree to a point. However, the lake residents who come in here in the summer and people coming to the city park also feed them but are gone in the winter.

A LOCAL waitress was heard making this remark: "I work every day of the year making my peace with my husband. After all. I have to live with him long after the children have left home." My, what will the ERA advocates think of a statement like that? —o— NOW COMES a postal card from Pete (Cho-Cho) Savage, from the tropical Polynesian island of Tahiti. He writes: “rm having one good time. This is as I heard it would be . . . beautiful. Everyone here is so friendly." He added that the coffee was strong, that he had switched to tea for the time being. -o— A SIGN in a Chicago hotel backbar: Don’t worry! Don’t Hurry! It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on t ime. —o— TOWNSMAN JOE Bushong came to our office Mondav with an October 193 X issue of The Pickwickian, a small, printed handout published “At Wawasee — In The Interests of Northern Indiana Vacationland." Oldtimers remember this slick little sheet. The one Joe gave this column has a picture of the Pickwick Block on the front, on page 2 photos of postmaster Leon Ber tram Whitehead. NIPSComan Noble D. Myers and service station manager Ralph R. Sarver. And on the back page are two Lake Wawasee yacht photos Playing at the Pickwick Theater were Shirley Temple and Jimmy Durante in "Little Miss Broadwav". and Tyrone Power.

. i nSwt, I- , <IB WJSR ' JH. CROMWELL 25-YEAR MASONS — This old photo of 25-year Masons of Cromwell Lodge No. 705, F. & A.M., was brought to our office by Ernie Roberts of Sidney, who said he found it in an old family Bible. No date is given, but perhaps some of our Cromwell readers can help us in pinning a date down. It was taken at a banquet meeting at the Cromwell Lutheran Church on Thursday, Oct. 28 (year unknown). In front from left are W. Mortimer Cole. Ward G. Rimmel, Raymond Bickel, Sr., Walter Kiser and George Albert. Standing, 1 to r, are Ernest Calbeck, Stanley Wright. Frank L. Hursey. Charles F. Archer. Frank A. Cramer. Calvin IL Seymour, T. Dudley Howell. Roy I). Eaton. Grand Master ( ail L. Hiberd. Daniel Galloway, Dale Hursey. Harvey 11. Hontz. Joseph Calbeck and Harvey Galloway.

for 10 or 12 years, thoroughly enjoys the beauty of them. I agree with Mr Kettering most of the farmers still have some corn in the field and if a group of youngsters would get permission to pick this corn and then have a "SHELLING BEE ", I am .sure the food would be welcome. Nature is a thing of beauty and we should be proud that these beautiful ducks make their home in this vicinity. Thank you. Mary E. Bartlett

Way. These volunteers certainly have to be congratulated! The Mail-Journal and The Paper, all helped to make this United Way effort most enjoyable for me. I certainly want to thank The Mail-Journal for your help in distributing the information of the United Way and its agencies to the people of Kosciusko County — thank you so very much! Thanks to one and all in Kosciusko County in sharing our wealth with other people It certainly proves that this is an outstanding community and a great place to live! 1 wish each and every individual a very Merry Christmas and a most prosperous New Year! Kind regards. James E. McCleary. CLU General Campaign Chairman, United Way

It is good that our paper gives us this opportunity to air feelings and hopefully, someone who appreciates living in an area such as ours will come up with a solution to this simple problem. Everett Ketering 6195. Huntington Street Syracuse

x Alice Faye, Don Atneche. Barbara Stanwyck. Herbert Marshall. Binnie Barnes. lan Hunter in “Alexander’s Ragtime Band." Several Gift Nites were listed as well. Thanks to Joe for this bit of nostalgia. —O'RICK WELBORN, wrestling coach at Wawasee High School, is an eager beaver who obviously likes his job. He is at his desk at the school’s new athletic facility (gym) at 5:30a.m. to give special counselling to aspiring wrestlers. He’s also made accommodations for several adults of the communit) who are working out in the wee hours. Rick is new at WHS. coming here from 13 years as coach at the Niles. Mich . High School. During the last two years he lived near Syracuse and drove each day to his Niles job, a round trip distance of 130 miles He said Michigan taxpayers got a touch of the Proposition 13 fever and began cutting extracurricular activities at the school. “I’ve had that." Welborn said, adding that he likes the teaching atmosphere at WHS. and that he and his famil) like the community equally well. —•O'HARLAN SIZEMORE looked skyward and asked. "Where’s all that snow we've been promised’’" Sizemore has a good suppl) of Ski-Doo snowmobiles on hand at his Cycle Shop in the Village, but they aren’t moving, he savs.

FRIENDS OF Harley Conrad. 74. honored him at a’ surprise retirement dinner Friday night at the Sleepy Owl south of Syracuse. ■ ff Conrad is retiring after 14 years of service with the Town of Syracuse. He was presented a special plaque by Darrell Grisamer. former town board member and past board president. Town Board President Paul Isbell presided over the festivities. Conrad has agreed to stay on with the city as a consultant to help in training his replacement, Vai Duggins. He had delayed his retirement trying to iron out many of the problems with the town sewer system. “I thought nobody cared and I would just leave quietly," commented Conrad. — o— INASMUCH AS the next issue of The Mail-Journal will come out Wednesday, Dec. 26. the contributors to this column would like to extend its best wishes for a MERRY CHRISTMAS to its many faithful readers. Unity is the goal toward which mankind moves ceaselessly.

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