The Mail-Journal, Volume 17, Number 47, Milford, Kosciusko County, 10 December 1980 — Page 11
School news
32 years as a bus driver and it's still not boring
By KIM HEIBER “I’ve been driving the same Milford-Syracuse school bus route fbr 32 years now and it never gets boring. 1 should write a book on it,” testified Lakeland School Corporation bus driver Howard (“Hop”) Haab. “Hop” enjoys his job which he began after returning to the United States following World War 11. He was wounded and required a number of years to recuperate. “I was limited after the war and found Hiked driving a school bus. Now I look forward to it and like it more every day,” he states. What "Hop" finds important about his job is the way it runs by the clock. “You have a certain time and a certain place to be. For me, I’m semi-retired and could easily get in a rut. But with driving kids to school I have to look nice and I get a good education from the children.” Singe he enjoys kids and previously worked with them in Little League, he also provides them with nice extras that, a school bus driver would not have to include. Haab drives extra bus loads for athletic events and also operates a fan bus from Milford to Wawasee High School so youths may attend the special events. “I know drivers who* would drive the daily route for no charge they enjoy it so much. As it is, the corporation can’t afford to pay a driver for the athletic fan bus so 1 volunteer my services. I go to the games anyway and 1 enjoy taking the K>ds.” he proudly admits. Driving approximately 80 miles per day, he leaves home at 6:50a.m. week day mornings and picks up his first student at 7 a m. He completes the morning route at 8 a.m. During the afternoons he begins at 2:30p.m. and returns home between 4:10 and 4:15 p.m. He then drives a late run at 6 p.m. from Wawasee to for students staying late after school for the band, class play, athletics or whatever. If “Hop" is driving for a special event like a football game or a trip to Chicago, he may drive well over 100 miles per day. “I like those extra field trips. The best trips are those to the Field Museum in Chicago because it’s fast and it makes a nice day. Some of the kids would never see
■ *M!|h T: / < >W IwW ® »Wk z s*- s < -4w W "t-- * ' v fWWA . ':< •iw a ' ''* jH Vjk - W ' ■jfe •’ ■L EL :n ’ • ~ w "***~ > ~ HOWARD (“HOP”) HAAB SCHOOL CALENDAR Week Os December 10 To December 17 WEDNESDAY 111/K Indiana University. South JEmmmmm Bend Class at Wawasee, 6:30 _ p.m. MONDAY WEDNESDAY IUSB Class at Wawasee, 6:30 lUSB Class at Wawasee, 6:30 p.m. P- m
it otherwise and the teachers and the kids really enjoy it. ” He readily confesses he could easily write a book on his school bus driving years. Now he wishes he would have kept all the funny notes from parents on what to do and not to do with their children. Sometimes he receives notes about children being sick and what other youths are supposedly doing to their children. Although it is not mandatory in the Lakeland School System, school bus drivers may assign students to seats. Haab has discovered that assigned seats help load the students faster and help maintain order. “I try to arrrange them so they sit with their friends, but it helps stop confusion. Since we travel with a mixed group of elementary students to high school it helps place them with their grade,” he kindly tells. “The high school kids don’t want to sit with the little kids and the little ones don’t want to sit with them. Can you picture 60 kids on a bus looking for a seat?” As a driver, “Hop” sees that bus discipline has improved over the past two or three years. Five to six years ago he found that he could not tell the high school kids what to do. “The high school kids act like human beings now. It’s a privilege to ride a school bus, it is not mandatory. If an ordinary problem arises you deal with it yourself. If a problem continues and a child won’t sit or obey you take the student to either his teacher or princioal and thev straighten it out. There’s always a few, but not like before," he said. The Lakeland School Corporation allows bus drivers to “kick-off” an older child for one day without permission, the child must then have a permission slip signed by his or her parent to be submitted to the teacher before riding the school bus in the future. “All the principals at the schools and all the staff cooperate well together. Very seldom does a problem develop. I can only recall one Milford student too bad to ride on the bus and he was eventually sent to a boys’ school. He had other problems too. It’s the mixed age groups where more discipline problemsexist.” The school bus drivers used to give students a sack of candy or a candy bar periodically, although
this tradition has vanished. The students continue to honor the school bus driver, however, with cookies, apples or whatever. “There’s one family that brings me a loaf of homemade bread every three to four weeks. Like last weekMJbey brought me a loaf of raisin bread and it was still warm. ” he beams. Perhaps he has been a lucky bus driver. During his 32 years Howard has never missed one day of work with sickness or anything. The closest he was to missing one day was during a Christmas vacation illness one year. He also has never had a serious accident or failed to reach his destination. “I had one minor accident in Warsaw once when a man ran a caution light. All we had was a scraped bumper. The biggest emergency was last year when a high school student passed me. The car turned upside down and pinned the boy with one foot in the steering wheel and his body out the window. He was pinned underneath his car and three or four large boys plus myself took the car off him.” ~~ In another busing incident Haab recalls the time he pulled the school bus into a friends driveway and a little girl jumped out of the seat and asked where she was. The child had fallen asleep behind the tall seats and he didn’t know anyone remained on the bus. Before the schools joined together to form the Lakeland School Corporation all the bus drivers used to gather with their wives for a dinner out. Now, the expanded school corporation, offers a spring program with dinnej and entertainment for the drivers. The drivers take their spouse with drivers completing 25 years of service receiving a plaque and retirees recognized. “Bus drivers seldom quit in this corporation because they enjoy it and they receive corporation support. It’s such enjoyable working conditions. Tliey back us up which makes our job easier and takes a lot of responsibility off the bus driver.” One notices that Howard Haab does like his job and would not sacrifice it. Aside from bus driving, he works in a machine shop part-time for four to five hours. A widower, he lives on a Milford farm with his son, Bill, a high school student. Another son and daughter are married. “I’ve hauled my cousin when he went to school and now I’m driving his children. I’ve hauled a lot of parents, where I’m hauling their kids now,” Howard adds warmly. One can see he is more like a family member to some than just a school bus driver. Two from WHS in 801 l State women's chorus Two Kosciusko County freshmen are members of the Ball State University Women’s Chorus. They are Jill A. Sliger, North Webster and Shari A. Miller, Syracuse. Gene R. Poston of the School of Music faculty is the director. The group performs the best of choral literature as well as light, fun songs during concerts both on and off campus. Miss Sliger is the daughter of George W. Sliger, P.O. Box 182 North Webster. She is majoring in music at Ball State. Miss Miller is majoring in choral music at Ball State. She is the daughter of John L. Miller, r 5 Syracuse. Lakeland / School Caii Lunch 4 L Menu > December 15—19 MONDAY — Ham patty sajxE. wich, tater tots, lettuce salad, pineapple upside down cake and milk TUESDAY — Ravioli, buttered green beans, fruit, hot rolls, butter and milk WEDNESDAY - Beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, bread and butter, peanut butter fudge and milk THURSDAY - Pizza, lettucespinach salad, fruit, pudding and milk FRIDAY — Toasted cheese sandwich, tomato soup, crackers, deviled egg, carrot and celery sticks, fruit and milk
’ . 111 y w. ■ nr V.3A lap THE CHOIR SANG SONGS OF THEHOLIDAY SEASON ...
r '' Hi u ■■HHB THE BAND PLAYED THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS...
.lira — lliß BAD BOYS AND BAD GIRLS WON’T GET ‘NUTTIN’ FOR CHRISTMAS’
Juan Carvajal wins $ 2 music scholarship at
TERRE HAUTE - Juan Carvajal, a senior music student at Indiana State University, is the winner of a $2,000 scholarship for summer study at the Aspen Music School in 1981. The 23-year-old percussionist was one of 30 students and eight finalists in five categories for the award presented by the Indiana Scholarship'Fund for the Aspen Music School in the annual contest at Butler University November 29. Carvajal played the marimba and timpani in the Photo Philos hove area winners The Kosciusko County Photo Philes club held theibChristmas dinner meeting at North Webster on December 2. At their first photo contest, ribbons were presented to several area winners. First place in color and black and white photos went to Jim Howard of Syracuse*. Second place color winner was Julie Dußois, North Webster. Third place color winner was Tom Scaggs of Warsaw. Earning honorable mentions were Kathy Northcutt of Warsaw and Betty Richcreek of Syracuse. __T?he winning photos are on display at Blossers Studios, Warsaw. Seventeen members and guests were present at the meeting which also sponsored a Kodak Audiovisual Slide Presentation by Fred Logan. € A beginning ' 35mm photography clinic is planned for January 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ’at the Oswego Community Building. Anyone interested should call Blossers and sign up early. Theoext Photo Philes meeting is scheduled for January 6’ at 7 p.m. in Oswego.
competition which also included performers in piano, voice, winds and strings. Judges were from the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Butler University and Indiana Central University. Concentrated study in composition and conducting are in Carvajal’s plans for his nineweek stay in Aspen. “I hope to meet a lot of people while I’m there,” he said. “It will also be a good opportunity for me to find out what’s going on in music in other p&rts of the country. It should be quite an experience. ” Following a student teaching assignment in Goshen spring semester, Carvajal graduates from ISU in May with a degree in music education and music theory and composition. A Troop 125 elects officers By ANGIE KIRKDORFER When the girls of Scout Troop 125 met on Tuesday, Dec. 2, they elected officers. The elected officers are: President — Tami Small Vice-president — Stephanie Berkey Secretary — Angie Kirkdorfer Treasurer — Susie Crews They had a lot of fun doing elections. Last week they celebrated Juliette Low’s birthday. She was the creator of the Girl Scouts and Girl Guides program. Minor damage as cars collide Stephen P. Hunt, 44, Syracuse, had minor damage to his 1978 Cadillac when Tonya Duncan, 16, Elkhart, slid her Mercury into the back of his car. The pavement was wet at Pike Street and Chicago Avenue, Goshen, on December 6 when the accident occurred at 10:09 p.m.
“A Song of Joy” played by the junior high orchestra opened Monday night’s Christmas program at Milford. The orchestra also played "Holly Jolly Christmas.” “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" and ‘ ’Frosty The Snow Man.” ) The sixth, seventh and eighth grade four numbers with Karen Benning being featured as soloist in “Blue Christmas. ” The fifth grade chorus sang two numbers, "Snow. Snow, Beautiful Snow”-and f’Do You Hear What I Hear.” Choir members presented Diane Weisser with a gift. I The fifth grade special choir, under the direction of Donna Pollen, sang “Nuttin’ For Christmas," arrangedby Mrs. Pollen; and“ATimeFor Joy.” Two numbers were presented by the seventh and eighth' grade band and three numbers were played by the sixth, seventh and eighth grade band. All in attendance joined in the closing number, “Silent Night.” A poinsettia was presented to band director Richard Miller.
FFA completes harvest, attend state contest
The Wawasee Future Farmers of America harvested their com test plot recently. Fourteen varieties were on test this year in the Kern Road plot. Local dealers donating seed corn were Ed Zimmerman, Funks; Bruce Shultz, Super 1,000 ISU graduate of Wawasee High School, he attended Goshen College before transferring to ISU where he studies with percussion teachers Neal Fluegel and Robert Chappell. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Juan Carvajal, Sr., 110 East Emeline, Milford.
| Syracu> e | I Library |
By BONNIE BJELLA Santa will appear at the Syracuse Public Library for the next story hour on December 17th. A Christmas movie will be featured after which Santa will give out treats. Children of all ages are welcome. The festivities will begin promptly at 3:30. New books continue to arrive in the children’s department. Among them are: “Mr. Mischief” by Hargreaves, “Mr. Noisy” by Hargreaves, “Mr. Chatterbox” by Hargreaves, “Mr. Messy” by Hargreaves, “Making UF O ’s” by Ross, “Making Robots” by Ross, “Drawing Pets” by Micklaus, “Finger Spelling” by Kandrick, “Cat and Dog Give a Party” by Miller, “Making Space Puppets” by Ross, “Dollhouse Miniatures” by Abels, “Mini Bike Racing” by Radlauer, “Hot Rod Manta” by Radlauer, “Beginning Backpacking” by Freeman. Beers to entertain Happy Bachelors The Milford Senior Happy Bachelors 4-H Club will meet at the home of Randy and Renee Beer on Thursday night, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. All new members are welcome to attend.
Wed., December 10,1980 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL
Crest; Harry Gorrell, Lynks; Glenn Davis, P-A-G; Roberts Farms, Becks; Crestview Farms, Decalb; and Arlen Bobeck and Jim Hummel, Pipneer. The com was purchased by Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. Complete yield results can be obtained by contacting the vocational agriculture department at Wawasee High School. The FFA soil judging team finished their year by competing in the State Soil Judging Contest held near Orleans. Team members Brian Roberts, Tim Butt. Adam List and Chris Beezley placed in the red ribbon. group. The other Wawasee team, composed of Mike Shock, John Nulf, Jim Rhodes and Shelton Parsons placed in the white ribbon group. Both teams advanced to the state level contest by placing first and second in the county contest and first and third in the area. Winter Carnival to be discussed The public is invited to attend a special meeting of the Syracuse Park Board set for 7 o’clock tonight (Wednesday) in the Syracuse Town Hall. The discussion, according to Kip Schumm, park board president will center around the Winter Carnival and input is desired. Two resign at Leesburg A meeting has been called for Tuesday evening, Dec. 16, at 4:30 p.m. at the Leesburg Town Hall for the purpose of replacing two Leesburg town officials who are resigning. Resignations have been received from Board Member Terry Lynch and ClerkTreasurer Harold Bleile. Both are effective December 31. Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Jean No'rthenor will qhair the meeting. ♦♦ ♦ ♦ We never harbor ill feelings against individ--# uals who disagree with our views, although we often regret that so many people can be wrong.
Annual Christmas party at Milford Monday night
Milford | Library j
By JODI BROWN If your child loves a food so much that he must eat it daily, it is probably bad for him A poor sense of humor may be the first clue of a vitamin B deficiency... If school authorities want to stop discipline problems and vandalism in the classroom, they must do away with sugar and junk foods in the halls and close the candy stores within two miles of school..'. Most poisonings occur between 4 and 6 p.m. The child is crying out for something because of a low blood sugar level. Give him half of his supper at 3 p.m. You may save his life... These are excerpts taken from the book “Feed your kids right” by Lendon Smith, M.D. and is available at the library. We’ve received several other new books. They include; “The American Heiress” by Dorothy Eden, “Key to Rebecca” by Ken Follett, “Heirlooms” by Carol Morgan, “Scapegoat” by Mary Lee Settle and “Swanson on Swanson" by Gloria Swanson. We’ve also been adding to our fiction collection by purchasing some of your favorite authors — Joan Aiken, Catherine Cookson. Helen Maclnnes, Elizabeth Cadell, Janice Holt Giles, Catherine Marchant . . . These are not new publications but are new to our collection. Dorothy Williams recently donated the book “Colonists for Sale” to the library in memory of Miss Lillian Kantner. Connie Smith brightened up the front desk with a Christmas arrangement and Alvin Miller, who has found a temporary home here at the library for the magnificent fern which he had displayed at Amazing Motors. It really greens up the library. We will soon be providing large-print books to the residents of the nursing home through the Division For The Blind and Physically Handicapped. Indiana State Library. The story-hour children (all 33 of them) helped Mrs. Brunjes and Teresa Bailey decorate the Christmas tree this past week to the tunes of favorite Christmas carols. The tree is beautiful and we didn’t even have to “rearrange” it after they ’d left “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.” Plato
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