The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 44, Milford, Kosciusko County, 17 November 1982 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL—Wed., November 17,1982

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Editorials

American education week Special happenings are taking place in the Lakeland Schools this week in observance of American Education Week. A number of photos of some of the events appear on our school pages. School personnel is being honored — among other things each teacher is being presented with the traditional apple for the teacher. Secretaries, cooks, maintenance personnel and the like are all in the spotlight as students and school personnel join to say thank you. Parents are joining students for lunch. Special displays have been made and special programs are being presented. Education is the process of training and developing the knowledge, skill, mina, character, etc., especially by formal schooling; teaching; training, according to Webster. We should never forget this. We should never take it for granted. In many countries education, in the form of schooling, is not required. American students and parents alike should be thankful that * youngsters under the age of 16 are required to attend classes. Students should take advantage of education and complete their high school careers, gaining all the knowledge and skill they can. Lakeland students should also be thankful that those who do not want to go on to college may participate in the vocational programs, learning skills they can put into use immediately after graduation. Adult education, too, is important and we tip our hats to the current programs underway at Wawasee. No, the school corporation is not perfect, but what is? However, the school board, administration, teachers and supportive staff are working together to give the students of the area the best possible education possible. It is altogether fitting and proper that we pause to remember this during Education Week. Shop now Though we complain many rush the Christmas season, it’s nevertheless true Christmas shopping is best and easiest when done early — in November. Most of us complain about the mad rush at Christmas after also complaining about rushing the season. Much of the final scramble could be avoided by planning ahead and shopping early. That leaves the days around the 25th free for the appreciation of Christmas’ meaning, for pleasure and fun. For those mailing parcels overseas, the last minute is already at hand. The stamp act One of the most significant dates in American history was November 23, 1765. On this day, more than two hundred years ago, the Frederick County, Maryland, court ordered its regular business carried on without the use of stamped paper — as required by the famous Stamp Act. At this time the states were still English colonies. In March of that year parliament had passed the Stamp Act, recommended by Sir William Keith, a former royal Governor of Pennsylvania. The act levied a stamp tax of three pence to ten shillings on legal papers, two pounds on college diplomas, four pounds on licenses to sell wine, two to six shillings on deeds, ten shillings on a pair of dice, a shilling on a pack of playing cards, a shilling for every advertisement in a newspaper, etc. The tax outraged many Americans, who felt that only their own state assemblies had the taxing authority over them. Patrick Henry, in Virginia, managed to get a defiant resolution adopted by the Virginia General Assembly, so much so that it was expunged from the record the day after it was passed. Aroused citizens in many states destroyed the stamped paper which had been sent from England. The bitter reaction was so widespread wiser heads in London favored repeal of the law. Benjamin Franklin, the American agent in London, was summoned before the House of Commons and wisely warned members that if the act were enforced with arms the enforcers would not find rebellion but “may make one. ” The act was repealed four months after the Maryland court’s defiance. But it had sparked such resentment and such a surge of nationalism, many historians believe it helped appreciably to bring about the Declaration of Independence a decade later in 1776.

What others say — Caution at Brezhnev death The death of Leonid Brezhnev is likely to mean that the Soviet Union and the United States both will step very cautiously for the next few months, and maybe longer. Both sides have strong reasons to want to keep relations stable during the power transition. Each will be wary of sudden moves that might be misinterpreted. » The Soviet leadership wants above all to avoid giving an appearance of weakness. The senior leaders will be careful not to let any sign of disorder escape from the Kremlin. The Soviet system is most vulnerable at a time of transition. The leaders will be on guard not to reveal a crack in their authority that might be exploited by dissenters within the Soviet orbit or by outsiders. Power is likely to remain for the time being where it has been in recent months, within a group of elder-generation leaders who have been running the government during Brezhnev’s illness. ' The United States can be expected to react cautiously during this period. Though rule is most likely to remain among known leaders, these belong to an older group. Over a period of time, younger successors, less well-known to the United States, are likely to emerge. How this will come about and who will be most prominent in the next generation of Soviet leadership is not foreseeable now. Consequently the United States will take care not to overreact to immediate changes in the Kremlin. Most likely, American leaders will have little to say in the next few days. Still, Brezhnev’s passing is an event of tremendous world importance. Transfer of power comes infrequently in the Soviet Union. For the present, the inertia of a bureaucratic system will carry it along. But ultimately there will be change. Rational analysis would say the next generation of Kremlin leaders could accomplish better things for the Soviet Union by relieving their country of the heavy burden of military expenditure it carries at the expense of living standards for the Soviet people. U.S. readers of the Kremlin must be alert to the possibility, and the chance this country might be able to encourage such a development. But another strong possibility is that new leadership will try to establish its legitimacy by taking a hard line toward the West. The long-term consequences of Brezhnev’s departure probably will be slow in emerging. As much as the United States might hope to find an opportunity for lessening tensions, options for American policymakers are restricted by the possibility that new leaders could prove more difficult to reason with. — THE ELKHART TRUTH

wr IM Three first grade students at the North Webster Elementary School — Angie Nallejo, Yen Tron and Mike Koher — are intent on their studies. They, and other students in the Lakeland Schools, know that education is important.

Court news

MARRIAGE DISSOLUTIONS The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko County Circuit and Superior Courts: Bales — Kathy Jane Bales vs William Lee Bales, r 1 Leesburg. The couple married August 19, 1977 and separated October 9. 1982. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution, custody and support of the minor child, an equitable division of property, attorney’s fees and costs Neibert — Laura A. Neibert vs Steven Craig Neibert, r 1 Leesburg. The couple, married June 21, 1980 and separated September 25. 1982. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution of the

Unsung heroes —

MIES' ~

Finds/home' in North Webster voluntary services

When Dennis Schaaf and his wife, Mary Jo, moved to the North Webster community one year ago he wanted to be a part of the community and what better way than to join the fire department and emergency medical service. “I was on a volunteer fire department in Fort Wayne, a member of Washington Township, before moving up here.” Schaaf, who owns North Webster Marina, stated with his business being so close it made him more accessable, as far as responding time. He started driving as an EMS trainee in February and just recently, in October, became a driver. He has also been on the auxiliary fire department since December 1981. Schaaf stated he enjoys what he is doing because of the “fact I know I’m able to help other people when they're in need.” However, he finds it very hard to be a firemen when someone loses a house and belongings and it’s hard to be an EMS member when a child needs to be taken to the hospital. Prior to moving to North

marriage, custody and support of the minor child and an equitable division of property COUNTY COURT The following residents of Kosciusko County have had Ones assessed and have paid those fines in Kosciusko County Court, Jim Jarrett, judge: Speeding — Harold J. Gunk el. 36, Leesburg, S4O; James Egolf, 16, Syracuse, $65 Unsafe start — Ken A. Weaver, 16, Syracuse, SSO Expired plates — Scott A. Templin, 17, Leesburg, SSO No operator’s license — Harold B. Manor, 69, Milford, SSO False plates — Rick Lowry, 28, Milford, $65

DENNIS SCHAAF

Webster, Schaaf, who is 28, lived in Fort Wayne until he was 21 years old and then moved on into Columbia City and then North Webster His hobbies are “just the .ire department, EMS and my business. It keeps me busy and I enjoy it.” The Schaafs have a 17 monthold son, Stephen. TNt MAIL-JOURNAL (USPS J2SMOI Pvdltshed by The Mail Journal every Wednesday and antarad as Second Clan matter at Ma Pott ohkb at Syracuse. Indiana mmt Second clast pcstape port at i«3 E. Mam Street. Syracuse. Indiana MM7 and at additional entry offices Subscription St} per year in Kosciusko County, SI j outside county POSTMASTERS Send chanpe Os address forms to The Mail Journal. P.O. Bos IM. Mdtord. Indiana MS4J

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

r i | Bl k ”

SOME WEEKS ago this column duly reported that townsman Bob Troutman, besides plying his insurance trade by day, used many of his nights in a woodworking class at the high school, part of the adult continuing education program of the vocational training department. Echoing remarks from his friends (who are perhaps just a little envious of his diligence and skills), we said at least Bob would end up with a skift of sawdust at his feet for his labors. And so, it’s understandable that Bob would take mild umbrage at this remark. Good fellow that he is, it took him some time to let it be known that, after all. he was making good progress on a piece of furniture for his home in the Freeman Addition. He called this reporter out to the house. “I want you to see this for yourself.** he said. And we could only ask, “Well, what is it? ” Troutman is shown here with his handiwork, representing something like 15 hours of his labors. It’s a sail maker’s table, made of Hackberry, a hardwood native to this area. Bob is a sailor of considerable skill, a member of the Wawasee Yacht Club, and he can talk at length of the glories of the ancient craft of nautical navigation. His modest home is studded with photos and nautical artifacts. He adds, while showing one around his house, “It takes a patient wife to put up with all of this." And indeed he does have a patient wife in Marge, who doubles as his secretary at Pickwick Insurance. The small “crib" atop the table is to contain tools, threads, needles, things like that which a sail maker would use in his trade. A table of this type is common to anyone knowledgable with the art of sail making and repair. Bob tells us. But in this instance, it will adorn the Troutman home, resting in front of their fireplace. All Bob has to do to finish the job is to sand, stain, then varnish the handsome piece. Never let it be said that anything handsome and useful failed to come from Jim Hughes’ adult woodworking class. SYRACUSE ENTERPRISES, located on Medusa Street in Syracuse, has been closed for several weeks, putting a small crew of workers out of work. The business is a division of the Orthopedic Equipment Company of Bourbon. The company also has a plant in Warsaw, and owns the old Bedell Manufacturing Co. plant on North James Street in Milford. The company is owned by Frank Seaman, who has wide interests. The Milford plant has been closed for several years but has been meticulously maintained since its closing. At a time, during the height of the Viet Nam war, the Milford and Syracuse plants were busy manufacturing cots for the U.S. military. But in recent years activity around the Syracuse plant has dwindled. There’s no reason to think the Syracuse plant will not be kept up like the Milford plant, even though it is closed. Mr. Seaman has purchased the block of buildings on the north side of Center Street in uptown Warsaw, and has had a continuing program of remodeling them. He has been successful in getting some of them rented but that program, while heartening to the city of Warsaw, has been less than a roaring success. THE SYRACUSE-Wawasee Rotary Club has been extremely active under the leadership of Henry Whelan, president at the present time. Most everyone is familiar with the program to erect a monument to the old uptown high school, and how

the club recently planted grass on both sides of the monument and installed a sprinkler system. It makes a splendid uptown addition. And now Ufeclub plans to make a sizeable donation to the Syracuse Park Board for maintenance, repairs and equipment for the town's several parks, and to make a donation for the repair and renovation of the Boy Scout Cabin on Henry Street. k •> NEWS! The real estate and home budding industry are looking up! This, according to national trends, and local realtors are reporting a bright outlook as interest rates on home , mortgages drop, even during the local off-season. HENRY SMITH, newly elected to the Lakeland School Board, is expected home today (Wednesday) from a deer hunting trip to Wyoming, at the tiny town of Alladin. Making the trip with Smith are NIPSCo man Fred Avery and Milford grocer Phil Campbell. They make a regular trip to Wyoming this time of year. TOWNSMAN RONALD Kramer, 131 North Shore Drive, claims to be retired and “enjoying the fruits of his labors.” He was the first salaried employee of the old Weatherhead Company (now Dana) and retired May lof this year after 31 years on the job. What many people don’t know about Ron is that he has a consuming hobby, that of collecting old Edison cylinder phonographs and records, vintage 1880-1925. He speaks to service clubs and the like and demonstrates the machines, of which he has 25-30. He made such a talk Sunday before the Milford Senior Citizens Club with some 36 in attendance, to glowing reports. He travels widely to attend estate sales, flea markets, buying and trading phonographs and records. Kramer was a B-24 squadron commander in WWII, flying over Europe from England, and was shot down over Belgium in 1944. He and Ginnie spent August and September in Europe, visiting sons John and Tom, plus visiting a town where Ron was held prisoner and visited a town in Holland his squadron bombed by mistake. They also visited with a fellow and his family in the Holland town that Ron has been corresponding with for many years. THE GABLE is going up at the Laundry Basket, the new laundromat being built in Village by Larry and Penny Heckaman, but it is too early to project an opening date. Reports are it’ll be really super. SYRACUSE TOWN board president Carl Myrick summed it up best when he described last week’s special meeting as a failure. “They rehashed all of the old things. You can’t accomplish anything when you have to constantly defend yourself,” he said. Town board members have been doing a lot of defending lately. The controversy over the proposed Syracuse Town Hall has entered into its fifth month and it seems the board is going backwards instead of forward. The architect and engineers were on hand at the November 9 meeting to answer any questions the town fathers had about the completed contract documents. Board members weren’t able to ask many questions, however, as remonstrators did most of the question-asking. It was an organizational nightmare. The architect and engineers had to explain decisions they had no part in making and were forced to discuss issues decided months earlier. Board members didn’t help matters much either, as they mulled over matters already decided. The biggest concern opposition leaders have about this project is the estimated cost. The Indianapolis-based architectural firm has stayed within the $650,000 budget established by the board Junel. This, of course, is another matter hotly contested by the opposition. However, the fact is that no one knows the actual cost of the project. And no one will until bids on the project are accepted. Syracuse, the fastest growing town in Kosciusko County, deserves a first-class townhall. Schmidt Associates Architects seemed to have designed such a building. Many options are still available for the board to cut costs. If the bids are too high, then all could be rejected and alternative plans could get underway. The town fathers need to act now, however, and the best way would be to accept contract bids — the sooner, the better. THORNBURG DRUG Co. recently moved into its enlarged addition of its Nappanee store at the east edge of that city, giving the stare about 15,000 square feet of selling area, and making it the largest store in their six-store chain. The new addition was until about a year ago occupied by the Family Fare grocery and joined the original Thornburg store on the west. DAVE ROBINSON was perhaps the most knowledgeable person at the Tuesday meeting of the S-W Rotary Chib as the Goshen watchmaker spoke on the subject of time keeping. Few people know Robinson’s hobby to clocks — how to keep them running, things like that. And they teU us he’s pretty good at it, too.