The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 45, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 November 1982 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL—Wed., November 24,1982

4

Editorials Thanksgiving, 1982 Our American Thanksgiving Day dates officially from 1863 when the nation was locked in a sectional struggle. Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, who had been proposing a national day of thanksgiving for decades in Boston and Philadelphia as a magazine editor, wrote to President Abraham Lincoln — who in October of 1863 issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation. There had been earlier thanksgiving days; some date the American observance to the days of the early settlers of the nation — who gave thanks for their food supply and the opportunity America offered. The first probably occurred in the Plymouth Colony in 1621. There have also been observances in other lands but few countries had adopted annual thanksgiving days prior to the American custom. An international thanksgiving day was held in Washington in 1909, having been conceived by the Rev. Dr. William f Russell of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Thus, Thanksgiving Day, the 25th this year, is uniquely American’. We can all give thanks for the many blessings all Americans enjoy. In doing so, we can resolve to build a better community and a greater nation —for in spite of our blessings and accomplishments, there is st nuch to be done. Advent Wreaths The time for Advent wreaths is close at hand. This year the first Sunday of Advent is November 28, when many families will light one upright candle in a green wreath on the center of Sunday’s dinner table. After one candle is burned on the 28th, two burn on December 5, three on the 12th and the traditional four candles December 19. These observances are a happy reminder of the coming of the major ecclesiastical event of the Christian calendar. Os all the seasons and celebrations of the year, Christmas is the most memorable and to many, enjoyable. There's no reason why those of all faiths and creeds can’t enjoy the spirit and meaning of Christmas, primarily a message of love for one’s fellow man. Mark Twain One of the great figures in American literature was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, known to most Americans as Mark Twain. His father was descended from Virginia ancestors and his mother from a well know English family. He wa/born in Florida, Missouri, November 30,1835. His family moved to Hannibal, Missouri, on the Mississippi in 1839 and there his father died when he was twelve; his education was terminated and he went to work to help his mother. He learned the printing trade and traveled the country as a journeyman printer — to St. Louis, New York, Philadelphia, Keokuk, lowa, etc. Turning to ships, he became an apprentice river pilot in 1857 and after two years became a fully licensed pilot on the Mississippi. When the Civil War broke out he at first wished to participate. He joined a group of volunteers, undecided on which side to fight. But then he thought better of it and went to Nevada and prospected for gold, unsuccessfully. Then he became a newspaper reporter, signing his first articles “Mark Twain” — derived from the term used on the Mississippi to denote a depth of two fathoms. He then moved to California and wrote The Jumping Frog, which brought him national attention. From this point on his career was in the ascendancy and he lectured, traveled the world and wrote. It was not until 1876 that he wrote the classic, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and not until 1884, when almost fifty, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Clemens also wrote for mature readers but America’s Puritan heritage resulted in the banning of his more controversial religious essays. Today’s reader should search out this more serious Clemens. 4 Camera hunting A popular and sensible form of hunting is camera hunting. Rather than killing game, it’s photographed with a camera, and survives —for other hunters to enjoy. Camera hunting makes sense with so many wildlife species now endangered. With big animals, such as bear, very much endangered in some areas, camera hunting is especially desirable. Camera hunting demands the same or greater skill. It’s often easier to kill an unsuspecting animal at long range with a rifle and telescopic sight than to photograph him successfully. Good, enlarged pictures are trophies equal to skin or horns, and can also be used to make an interesting trophy wall. Finally, it’s easier to bring back film than a dead or bleeding carcass. And developing it is easier than skinning, butchering, cleanings, etc.

What others say — Coming up in 1983 Last week we learned that your Indiana State Police will observe their 50th year of serving Hoosiers. Much to our surprise, we also found out that the Indiana organization is among the older units of its type in the United States. Only on the east coast are they older. Some adjoining states are about 25 years old. This newspaper has already agreed to publish at least one article about ISP during the 12 months of 1983. We think they will be enlightening but as we think about the articles, we also have something which we think needs to be said. We were not only shocked, but appalled when it was announced last week that our state faces a $262 million deficit. Predictions had been that the amount would be somewhere around S2OO million. How to make up such shortages is the next question. Without kidding ourselves, we know that taxes of one sort or another will be forthcoming. Still, the main point is that we think the state should spend even more money, at least in one phase of its employment. It is our firm opinion that every State Trooper in Indiana is grossly underpaid and we think its time that this misjustice, carried on now for several years by two different Republican governors, is corrected. All you have to do is compare the salary increase of public school teachers with those of Troopers and you will find out how bad the situation really is. As a matter of fact, we wonder why more haven’t quit and found something worth their time financially. Come on Legislators! It's time to recognize what your State Troopers do for All Hoosiers. — Carroll County Comet

WRtr I 1 r " Thursday is Thanksgiving Day and the above photo, taken this week at the Syracuse Elementary School, shows just one of many things Americans should be thankful for — — friends. Court news

SUPERIOR COURT The following claims have been filed in Kosciusko County Superior Court, Robert Burner, judge: Counting House Bank has filed claims against the following people: Harold Stoffel of r 2 Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks a judgment against defendant for the sum of $3,915.55 plus interest, attorney's fees and costs on an installment note State Bank of Syracuse vs Philip J. Baumgardt, P.O. Box 1733, Pompano Beach, Fla. Plaintiff seeks k judgment against defendant for the sum of $10,731.67 plus interest, attorney’s fees and costs as the result of failure to pay promissory note. Further, plaintiff seeks a foreclosure of

Unsung heroes —

—\ ALVIN HAAB Alvin Hoab is treasurer of Milford Fire Department

Serving his community means business for Milford fireman Alvin Haab. As treasurer for the volunteer firefighters, he has to keep the debits and credits straight in order to keep the department running smoothly. As a fireman, he has the same sense of community involvement and committment that most have. He also shares something else with the others, too. Fear. When it comes to fighting fires, "I’m not too proud to say that I'm still scared," said Haab. After five years on the department, you would think Haab would be a "veteran." Being a veteran does not relieve the concerns, ‘lt’s the uncertainity of the whole thing. You never know until you get there," he said. "Getting there" means a tot of different jobs and Haab has done just about every kind of job in fighting a fire. He simply does . what is needed, when it is needed, “whatever comes along. ’* One of the big requirements to be a member of the fire department is to be available. So in February of 1977, Haab found out the Milford fire department was in need of daytime men. With an agreement from his employer. Brock Bins, Haab is able to

the real estate mortgage. Plaintiff asks their lien be declared superior to any other and they be empowered to bid on the property if it is to be sold First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Wabash vs Gary Wiggs and Mary Kiser, husband and wife, r 5 Syracuse. Plaintiff seeks a judgment against & defendant for the sum of $47,264.30 plus interest, attorney’s fees and costs for failure to pay promissory note. Plaintiff asks that their lien be declared superior, the mortgage foreclosed and property order sold Norman T. Rolf of Fort Wayne. Plaintiff seeks a judgment against defendant for the sum of SIOO,OOO in compensatory damages and $200,000 punitive damages

respond to fire runs during the day. Haab feels one of the best improvements he’s seen in the department has been the use of radio receivers. The receivers “bring the guys out of the woodwork," according to Haab, and makes the fire department much more responsive. serving on the fire department is "probably one of the few vehicles that enables me to serve the community,” he said. He and his wife Carol have two boys. Matt. nine, ami Kelli, three.

THE MAIL-JOURNAL tu S PS 3»«40) ka Tka M»-* * * ----- r y • raw • avery jr ••••» ew wren •> v> martyr al Ma Past OHm at Syracaaa. Indiana 4AM7. Sacand ctou paala«a pa* at I«1 t. Mam Street Syracaw. Indiana «aMt and at addilietial entry aWica*. Subscription Sil par year ia KosciuskoCaanty. sisoutsidecaanty POSTMASTERS Saad chanfe al address terms la The Mau Journal. P O Bea IM. Mdierd. Indiana 4*SC

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

IT’S GOOD to learn this week that the weU known Smith-Walbridge Camp, Inc., will not go out of the Smith family’s hands. - Merl Smith, who has been sole owner with his capable wife Maggie since 197®, and pretty much the head honcho since that time, made the announcement that son Gary will be taking over active ownership and management of the camp. Gary is really a “local boy” who grew up in the Syracuse community, went off to college at the University of Illinois and put to work what he had learned as a youngster at the S-W camp, ending up assistant director of bands at U of I and for the past eight years marching band director. It should be noted that the Smiths and Mr. and Mrs. George Walbridge started the camp in 1949 as a baton twirling camp, and kept it that way for two years. It was later expanded to include cheerleading, drum majoring, band camp, rifle and flag drill teams, such auxiliary units, and for about three years golf camps and gymnastic camps were held there. On the drawing board is a computer camp. The grounds include 55 acres on which is situated 16 buildings. The camp, well known to locals, is situated beautifully on Bonar Lake and along East Shore Drive, across from the Maxwelton Golf Course. Merl and Maggie have had the camp on the market for two years, but it has been public knowledge for only about a year. While Gary will take over the camp, you can bet Merl and Maggie will be seen around the “family business,*' but will allow themselves plenty of time for winters in Orlando, things like that. -? Merl and Maggie are accomplished twirlers, as is Gary and brother Greg. Greg, a U of I grad too, where he served as a drum major, is now at Alice, Texas, working with that high school’s band. You can bet Greg will also be seen around the camp. f It’s sort of a changing of the guard at the Smith-Walbridge camp. Gary, at 40 years of age, is secure in his job at the U of I, but has free time during the summers, and it would appear to be a natural for him to take on the local camp, where his responsibilities are chiefly summer-oriented. Oh, yes, and don’t forget Janice (Auer) Wright, who has been more than a lady in waiting at the camp’s busy office. Janice, the daughter of Nelson and June Auer, is a Syracuse native and has worked at the camp for 17 years, and Merl allows “she knows as much about the camp as I do.” With Janice, Maggie and now Gary’s wife Beverly in the office. Gary’s success in his new endeavor is certainly assured. A LOCAL history buff who stayed up late last Wednesday night to watch the television miniseries, The Blue and The Gray, a story about the Civil War, was asked by his wife on Thursday morning, “How did that show turn out?” His answer: “The North won!” THE SECOND community survey will be released late in December, perhaps in the issue of The Mail-Journal following Christmas. The response was pretty much like the first survey — less people responded than we expected. But it is enlightening to see what people think of their home community just the same. Look for it. EVERYONE ADMIRES entrepreneurship — that’s where an individual has an idea and goes out to promote it for all it’s worth and succeeds. Sort of. “I'll show the world.” And we have this spirit right here in Syracuse in the persons of Shelly Hart and her husband Harry. They purchased the Blanche Thornburg property at 218 East Main Street several years ago. and are installing The Family Tree in the house, where they will feature handmade items, antiques and local art. We have ample local artists, so this should go well. Some of their artifacts will be the handiwork of Shelly’s brother Tom Miller and his wife Debbi of Fort Wayne. Shelly is the daughter of artist Jean Miller and her late husband Dick, and is a 1962 graduate of Syracuse High School. Hany is from the Omaha area, was a Master Chief (machinist's mate) in the U.S. Navy. Upon retirement, the Harts decided to “come home” and this they did. We have to admire the spirit of the Harts and to wish them well. “PRETTY SOON we’ll aU be using home computers." so says Margaret Whitehead. Girl Friday for Bob Many, local CPA and public accountant What brought this on was inquiries about Bob’s new computer at his Pickwick Road office. “We’re crazy about it,” Margaret says, noting they can now do W-2 earning reports, 1040 federal tax returns, and IT-40 Indiana gross tax returns on their new computer. PHYLLIS (MRS. Edward T.) Cockram. Republican committeeman in Syracuse Precinct 1. replacing Frank Putt, who held that post for a good many years, caDs to object to our use of the term “fat cats” in an editorial way back in the first week sf October. We were always under the impression that the term applied to contributors of SI,OOO or more to a political campaign She confided to contributing SIOO to the Lugar campaign and objected to us calling her a fat cat. If this is the amount of her contribution, she would hardly qualify for that, appellation. Our editorial decried the cost of Lugar's campaign, along with many others, in seeking re-

election. We haven't changed our opinions much, in spite of Mrs. Cockram’s call. We think it’s unconscionable to spend millions to get elected to an office that pays so little by comparison. THE LAKELAND Daycare Center's plans to move to its new location Saturday were scrapped when it was learned that the water coming into the new W. E. Long Drive location failed to pass the State Board of Health’s scrutiny. No new date for the moving has been set by the Center's director, Carol Hurd, but it is expected to be soon. According to Joe Dock, utilities superintendent, the problem is either internal or in the lines immediately leading to the handsome new building. Two water samples go to the state (a day apart), and he said he is now taking the samples to Fort Wayne himself to insure a quick correction of the problem. City water users in the area are not affected by the isolated problem. ' wl ■■ ’■ SB . BB ' '.'.W CREDIT GOES to Bill Beemer, Kip Schumm, Carl Freel and Dave Gargett for coming out Sunday morning to install the Christmas decorations in Syracuse. Shown above is the decoration in front of First Charter Insurance. As near as we know, this ranks Syracuse among the first of area towns in decorating for the Yuletide. RICHARD W. Brandon. 601 Medusa St.. retired Saturday as a representative of the Moorman Manufacturing Company. Quincy. Illinois. Brandon began working for the Company as a Salesman on March 17. 1959. On March 19, 1961 be was promoted to District Manager and has remained in that capacity until the present time. Richard Brandon and his wife. Bonnie, have three children. He is a member of the Church of Brethren and a member of the Wawasee Kiwanis Club, Syracuse. Indiana. When asked what he intended to do after retiring, Mr. Brandon said he would like to spend more time with his favorite bobbies of gardening and fishing. THREE LOCAL artists are as proud as punch to learn they have been accepted in the Northern Indiana Artists (NIA) art show at the South Bend Century Center some time the first of February. They are Betty Appenzeller, Jean Miller and Marilyn Moore. They were among the 12 new artists chosen from northern Indiana, and. once accepted, they are on a permanent list for the twice-a-year showing of NIA artists. According to Marilyn Moore, this showing will provide a wider platform for the local artists and should prove a boon *3 others of the local art colony. IT’S HARD to conceive what a size 22 tennis shoe would look like. Bob Shively of r 3 (Pine Terrace Apartments) showed up with one Saturday morning and hid it on his startled friends at the Syracuse Case. It was the property of Milwaukee Bucks • center Bob Lenier, he said, and came into Bob’s possession through a friend in Valparaiso. Shively said the shoes were specially made for Lenier by the Converse Rubber Co. They made a similar outsized tennis shoe for a Russian basketball player, so said Shively. A WELL-KNOWN Wawasee High School assistant coach has been doing some scouting lately. You would think he'd be on the road for coach Myron Dickerson’s Warriors but this time he’s checking out the action on the stage instead of the gridiron. His latest trip took him to Penn High It seems this football coach wants to expand his horizons and this spring he’ll have a chance to do just that as director of a Wawasee production. MEMBERS OF one of the area’s Lions Clubs (or for that matter any other service club) could take a leaf from the book of the Elkhart Lions Club and sell newspapers as a fund-raising project. According to the November issue of THE LION, official magazine of Lions International (p. 36) Elkhart Lions publish and sell a newspaper... well, let’s let the story speak for itself. In part: “Throughout these 5® years, they've also built something of a tradtion. Something the (Continued on page 5)