The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 18, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 May 1982 — Page 4

the MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., May 19,1982

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Editorials

To our son, the graduate (Editor i Noto Th* following appeared in the Carroll County Comot a number of years ago when Joseph Moss groduatod from high school It was written by his /other. Al Moss, owner and poblishor of that paper We /eel it fitting-for the IW2 graduates o/ Wowosee High Schoo/ be they sons or daughters After 18 years of loving and teaching, worrying and scolding, enjoyment and frustration; of sharing your small troubles and your heartaches, of laughing with you over little things, and seeing you gradually need us less and become just what you were meant to become, an independent, self-confident, yet still green school senior; your parents are now about to see you become that greatest of all big first things: a high school graduate. • What you do now will depend partly on what we, your parents, have taught you - both intentionally, by what we said, and unintentionally, by what you observed from our way of life. What you do will also depend on which of the many experiences and teachers at school and at church and in the community in which you live that you accepted and believed and took into your own individual store of knowledge. We don’t know what important things we have left unsaid, or what last words we can give you now that will change anything. But since people always give high school graduates advice and encouragement and some selection of words that are supposed to see them through the next few years until they have obtained their own maturity and worked out their own patterns of living, then we will add ours to you. for what they may be worth. . . Follow- your enthusiasms. Don’t wait until just the right time to begin when evervthing is perfect. Start now’ while your interest is high. Make your decision and follow’ it through. If you wait until all things are right, then you may not want to do it anymore and you will have lost something precious. Be willing to accept help. No one knows everything. Ask advice of the experts. If you are too proud to admit you don’t know something, you will never learn more than you know now and. though you may not think so now, there is more to learn t Shake off failures. Don't brood about them. I earn from them. Everyone who reaches out to new areas feels the exhausting pressures of defeat occasionally. Be assured that this. too. shall pass and there will be time to try again. Don t be jolted bv every bump on the road. Laugh often, especially at yourself, and cultivate a happy disposition. Sullejihess begets sullenness Happiness springs from appreciation of little at the big picture — the future. Don't risk it all on so little a thing as fun now Don’t choose the quick scheme, the fast buck, the pleasure of the minute. Keep your eye on the future It ’s w here you will spend the rest of your life. Be dependable. Accept your responsibilities and don’t be looking the other way when it s your turn Do w hat you say you will do when you say you will do it — whether you want to or not Do more than is expected. There are great rewards for those who “go the undemanded mile. ” * __ Remember that adversity comes to everyone, but it is not what happens to /you that matters so much as how you respond to it. Throughout history. \ happiness and strength of character have belonged to people in all kinds of Life is how vou face problems and solve them. The cowards who cave in and give up at the first bad deal or run away from their troubles are not the happv people of the world. Learn the art of tranquility. Serenity and inner peace are priceless gifts. Cultivate them Set a time for solitude, for developing the ability to bend with the pressures and strains like a tall tree and be able to stand erect again after the wind has subsided Keep an inquisitive mind and continue to learn every day. Study and grow in knowledge as you grow older in years. Have preseverance. Work beyond the first push of enthusiasm and the first threshold of exhaustion Lose yourself in your work. Learn »o like it. The prize belongs to those who keep on keeping on. You have the energy, ambition-, confidence, ability and enthusiasm of youth and the background and’training of a good, beginning education May you and your kind bring us a better world — or, if not that, a better understanding of our place in it. May you each carve out a rewarding, individual niche, hopefully making some contribution in exchange for the God-given privilege of being here to take your look at the world and see what it’s all about. Child restraints Sunday. May 16. marked the start of National Transportation Week and we can think of no better time than to write about child restraint systems for the automobile. Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for American children. In 1978 alone. 669 children under the age of five were killed while riding in cars. Tens of thousands more were senously injuried The tragedy is that most of those deaths and injuries could have been avoided if parents had taken the time to buckle their children into a proper child restraint system. Small children who are not restrained become flying missiles when an accident happens The Indiana Office of Traffic Safety, in cooperation with the Indiana Association of Woman Highway Safety Leaders. Inc., and the Department of Transportation, have issued the following rules to remember? Children under five, or weighing less than 40 pounds should ride in a child restraint. The safest place in the car for a child is in the back seat. If no child restraint is available, children should use the car safety belt. This is much safer than riding unrestrained Try them, your children will be safer. It only takes one accident...

What others say — Say yes to tourists SOME FOLKS from Michigan are not amused by a billboard standing near Bloomington. Ind., that reads: “Say NO to Michigan. Wander Indiana First.” Quite understandably, Michigan natives might not find that funny. The billboard, put up by a Hoosier advertising company, is long on enthusiasm and short on taste. But Michigan residents should feel good knowing that their state's ‘‘Say Yes to Michigan” campaign to,promote tourism has penetrated Southern Indiana. Somebody down there had to get that message, to think it worthwhile to talk bcick. ~~~ * The relevant question on this side of the border might be. has Indiana done as well at making Michigan residents aware of its "Wander Indiana” campaign? Living as close to Michigan as we do here, we know that state’s delights too well to want to put them down. On a serious level, with more people looking for vacation trips not too far from home, both states should be promoting their attractions to each other. Michigan is way ahead at this. It spends about $6 million a year to promote tourism. If people think Indiana has less to offer, it’s partly because this state hasn't worked nearly as hard to tell them. "Wander Indiana” is a new effort vrhich should help get the word out. But Indiana still spends only about $300,000 a year on tourism, 49th among the 50 states in its commitment to draw visitors. Indiana has plenty of its own to promote, but a lot of work to do to catch up with Michigan. Maybe that’s why folks downstate feel a little defensive about Michigan. - THE ELKHART TRUTH

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223 seniors will graduate from Wawasee High School during commencement exercises on Sunday afternoon. Letter to the editor A good example

Dear Editor. Just read your article about Lilly Auer on raising kids I heartily agree with her. I enjoyed the article. There is a little nepotism on my part, as Mrs Auer is my Aunt Lil. my father’s sister. 1 immensely admire Aunt Lil and Uncle George for the way. as senior citizens, they live and do for themselves on their own.

Court news

The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko County Circuit and Superior Courts: Morse — Vicki L. Morse vs Bennie P Morse. Syracuse. The couple married May 2. 1976 and separated May 5. 1982 Plaintiff seeks a dissolution, an equitable division of the property, custody of and support for the couple s

Unsung heroes

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Bill Metcalf has been fireman for 47 years

“I help the young guys with my knowledge like when to use water and when not to." explains Bill Metcalf about his duties on the North Webster Fire Department Joining the department at age 15. Metcalf has been a volunteer fireman for 47 years When Metcalf first joined the depart ment in 1955. it was a ladder and bucket brigade “Back then, any ti me there was a fire everybody turned out — men. women and children, anybody that was old enough to hold a bucket." he reminisced It was not until 1941 that the North Webster Fire Department got its first truck "We started out with just one truck and through fund raising things of the department and interested people we began to get other equipment." Metcalf reflected Metcalf served as fire chief from 1974 through 1980 and was assistant chief for many years before that He has been a member of the fire department s advisory since the late 1950 s Metcalf was on the department s emergency squad from the beginning However, he saw a need for better emergency service than could be provided by the fire department and was one of the originators of the North Webster Emergency Medical Senvce <EMS>. "We saw that need a long time ago Now they 're a lot better equipped." he said. According to Metcalf, fire fighting has changed over the years. "It s more dangerous now than it use to be. because of the materials used in construction of houses and contents." he explained "Vinyls and a lot of your cloths give off chemicals that aren't the best to breath " "One of the best things that has happened over the years is the mutual aid of other fire departments." stated the veteran fire fighter. "Through the county

More senior citizens would do better to show the independence they have. A visit to the Auer home was always a noisy, enjoyable time With other relatives there, and George and Lil’s children and grandchildren there. It is a nice memory in my childhood George and Lil are a good example of our senior citizens Linda Ryman Syracuse

two minor children plus maintenance for the petitioner? attorney’s fees and costs. Shipley — Debra A. Shipley vs Roger R Shipley, r 5 box 280 Syracuse. The couple married July 18. 1981 and separated May 3. 1982. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution, an equitable division of the property and restoration of her maiden name. Debra A Lechlitner

BILL METCALF

Firemen's Association, we know most the other firemen in the county and if we need help we holler and they do the same One reason Metcalf has stayed on the fire department for almost half a century is "knowing that you were helping somebody when they were in trouble ’’ He feels more volunteerism is needed today and acknowledged today's young people have many more outlets and organizations to which they can donate their servK.es He urges youth to "get more involved in things at home ” Metcalf is the former co-owner of Metcalf and Payne. Inc. in North Webster. Last January, he retired and sold his half of the business to his partner. Phil Payne Now he spends his tune fishing, gardening and fitting fires He and his wife. Lunetta. live at Shoe Lake on Armstrong Road. They have two sons Douglas, who serves on the North W ebster EMS. and Phil, a math teacher at Milford Junior High The Metcalfs have six grandchildren

THt MAU JOURNAL (us e s ma*) euehiMd frr n* M*il «v«ry and enWrnd •* Second CU»»l matter at me Post OHk« at Syracuse. Second class pta at 1«3 C. Mam SV-oet. Syracvse Indiana Setacrmtmn »13 iter year in KMOvUeCaMdty. l>s avtsMe cotmty POSTMASTERS Send chanfe M address tor ms to The Mad Journal P O Bea IM. Mdtocd Indmaa ease

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

A THING that bugs every newspaperman with the least bit of dedication to his profession is the improper use of the English language; Americans have become almost professional in their love affair with improper language usage. The “you knows.” “yeahs.” and terms like “1 could care less'* dot the common language with disgraceful repetition. To one who cares about “the King’s English,'* improper sentence structure can be downright unbraiding. Where does the fault lie? It’s easy to lay this American tragedy at the doorstep of our schoolsand colleges. But it's more than that: Most of us learn our language and other habits in the homes where we grew up In the final analysis, -however, the chief responsibility rests with the individual. One must observe, read, correct — really make a concerted effort to learn proper language usage. Forget all those. “1 goes to town, gets out of my car and goes into the grocery store and buys my groceries for the week.” That just isn’t good enough. Well, this column received a letter pointing out two such errors in our columns recently, and we’re grateful for the*remarks of one Shirley L. (Mrs. M. V.) Menzie. a substitute teacher and volunteer worker at the Madison Elementary School in Warsaw. She and her husband live at 715 East Biscayne Ave.. Warsaw. Mrs. Menzie calls herself a “late bloomer," having graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea. Ohio, in 1963 She calls her mother a “a real tough grammarian." Her letter begins. "The Warsaw Times-Union does it; the teachers’ manuals do it; the South Bend papers do it; the retired teachers’ magazines do it. Won’t you join a few of us who want to help? Then she refers to the clippings from our paper showing us where we used improper sub-ject-verbs on two occasions, and adds. “Our nation is bested by other nations because our debating teams have been disbanded. Hence, we can onlv argue in a quarrel — not in the way other nations are trained." Mrs Menzie is kind >n writing. “I know your articles come from people, but the ones you write yourself could be of service to us all. Perhaps you could start a little 'how to write' column Surely your paper goes into writers' homes and would be of service Critique our books and see.” She goes on. “Listen to your child’s school teacher! Our colleges are letting teachers come from English courses saying. ’Each got their book'.” “You write the way I wish I could write — interestingly Help me by getting out „an old English grammar book and be a pioneer paper to help us all. We use these things wrong so much that we take them now as correct. 1 find 1 write in phrases leaving subjects and predicates for you to fill in. That. too. is careless." Mrs. Menzie scores TV and radio announcers as “needing help, too." "Listen carefully. ’You know’ seems to be everyone’s hangup any more. It takes the place of uh’ that our English teachers were upset about." Our friendly critic goes on. "Do you suppose for each ‘you know’ if we quickly inserted, ‘yes. 1 know, or no I don’t know' we could help the whole nation 1 ’” After the lengthy grammar lesson. Mrs. Menzie ends with a complimentary note that leads us to believe she’s a devoted reader of these columns. For her information, we add our approval to all her remarks, and made a special point to see that her letter was read by all the writertf and proofreaders on our staff —O’NO ONE could have been happier (all day> Friday than Gloria (Mrs. Gene) Stoffel when she announced to all who would listen that she had just become grandmother of twins. Nadia and Nicholas, newborns of Randy and Vicki Stoffel of C»2 Lexington Ave.. Goshen. The two newcomers are "No. 10 and 11 grandchildren." is the way Gloria announced the good news. —o— LOUANN YODER is proceeding full speed ahead with her new Shrimp Boat, located on the channel between the lakes, in spite of the fact she was turned down recently by the Kosciusko County Alcoholic Beverage Commission on her request for a three-way permit "Were going without it (the permit)." she commented, noting she would have to wait a full year before she could re-apply. Louann was shooting for an early June opening, but thinks now it will be sometime a little later. perhaps even the end of June.

/ I a >‘ \ t r > t *""

DONNA MRS R G. ‘Jerry’} Johnson makes an excellent pitchman, as this photo attests. Donna is displaying a Wawasee Flotilla T-shirt, now on sale at T-Shirts Unlimited. Thornburg s Drug Co and at the Anchor Man AU the proceeds from the sales will go to the Flotilla Committee to

underwrite expenses for this year’s Flotilla such as trophies, things like that. You can expect to see a lot of these around the area during the weeks ahead. —oVINC LEO. owner-operator of the Maxwelton Golf Course restaurant and bar. thought it odd that the break-in at his place of business was in no way tied in with the well-publicized vandalism at Wawasee Highschool a week ago Sunday. No connection was made in the public press, but Leo thinks there’s a definite connection that should be pursued by investigating officers According to Leo, Maxwelton was broken into between 12 midnight and 3 a m. Thursday, May 6, and thieves abscounded with 8726.33 worth of spirits. "I know the exact amount." he commented when explaining the break-in. 1 had just entered it into my inventory." He thinks the spirits taken from his ptace provided the levity and mischieveousness the night of the "big party" on North Shore Drive just prior to entering the high school where damage was done amounting some lit.OOO-plus. / Leo says four mirrors were also taken, which carried advertisements for several brands of spirits, a fact that makes them sought-after items. -oAN AREA minister dropped this little jewel into the center of his Sunday sermon: "Sitting in a church on Sunday morning doesn't make one a Christian any more than sitting in a hen house makes one a hen." -0- ; TOM KITCH’S special brand of modesty showed through last week when he fended off compliments of his good investigative work in the school vandalism case with this: "Well, don’t overlook the fact that we had a lot of luck (in solving the case >. top ” What officer Kitch doesn’t know at this writing is that he is to be made an "Honorary Wawasee Warrior" for the expert work he did on the break-in and destruction case. At the present time there is a beautifully framed commemoration awaiting officer Kitch. in school colors of yellow and green and signed by Principal Howard J Hull and Vice Principal Donn D. Kesler. It reads: "In Recognition for Good and Faithful Service Rendered at Wawasee High School. Detective Tom Kitch is Hereby Named an Honorary Wawasee Warrior." -o— THINGS ARE looking good insofar as summer activities at the community's several parks are concerned. The park board has engaged Jim Garner, a local resident and elementary teacher at Cromwell, as parks supervisor in charge pf maintenance It involves Railroad Park. Lakeside Park and Hoy’s Beach on Front Street. He will work a 40-hour week. And Teresa Welborn, a Manchester College student and daughter, of WHS wrestling coach Rick and Greta Welborn, will be working with Jeff Winter, an LU. freshman, as city lifeguard. According to Kip Schumm. vice president of the park board, more activities are being planned by the board this summer. Alan Kitson is board president; Diane Walker, secretary; and Pat Bartow, treasurer. —o— JVLIE ROGERS. Elbe Graff and Julie Webster, girls who “man’"the medical offices of Dr. Jack Clark at 303 South Huntington Street, are "going back to school.” a process of learning how to operate the new Apple 11-Plus computer and word processor that office plans to put to good use in the very near future. Right now they are "just learning.’’ and all three admit to be intrigued by the new computer "The problem is." stated Ellie, "is to find a place for it in our building " —O’bob AND Sandy McNary plan to enter their 41-foot deep draft boat in the Holland, Mich., to Milwaukee. Wise.* “Queen’s Cup" race for the second time, in this year’s event to be held during the July 4th week end. They will be accompanied by Larry and Clair Baumgardt and possibly by Bob and Marge Troutman. According to Bob there will be 100 to 125 craft in the race, sponsored each year by the Milwaukee Yacht Club, ranging from 30-foot to 90-fopt sailboats. Name of the McNary entry: Sand Dollar. —oPERHAPS THE thing that got to Wawasee High School students the most, concerning the well publicized vandalism at the school, was the wanton and senseless destruction of their school symbol. Chief Wawasee. It held a special place in the hearts of proud Wawasee students The Chief, about five foot, eight inches (American Indian were never a tall lot), was encased in a handsome glass setting just outside athletic director Hal Traviola’s office where literally dozens of students passed by each day. And it had a special history all its own. When WHS senior David Paul Owens was tragically killed in an auto accident in October of 1977. his mother wanted to create some sort of memorial to her fallen son. Principal Henry Smith and athletic director Carl Meditch got their beads together and came up with an idea that evolved into the building of "Chief Wawasee" in David Owens' name. The two school administrators, no longer with the school, sought out Indian photos, paintings, the like, and even consulted Indian historical groups in Fort Wayne. AU this led to one Miss Jan Brickerhoff. a Garrett. Indiana. Miami Indian buff. Her special interest in Indians is Indian chiefs. "Yes. I’ll take on the assignment.” she said, "But I’ll need a lot of help." And help she got. Even the school’s home economics department got into the act, and purchased a special buckskin and put their sewing machines to good use. (Continuedon pages)