The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 49, Milford, Kosciusko County, 22 December 1982 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 22,1982

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Editorials

A different meaning for many What does the Christmas season signify to you? Ask the question of a hundred persons, and you would probably get as many different answers. To some, Christmas is shopping for gifts, perhaps beginning as early as summer! To others, Christmas is the sound of holiday music everywhere ... on the radio, in the stores, in the office and in the churches. To children, of course, Christmas is the time when Santa Claus comes to town, hopefully loaded down with lots and lots of presents! Christmas means an eagerly anticipated annual visit from distant sons or daughters for many parents. To others, it’s the glow that comes from singing carols to those spendmg the season in hospitals and convalescent homes. Christmas is taking the youngsters to see Santa Claus for some; for others, it’s ice skating down at the pond. For many, the season means observing a family tradition, whether it’s going together to choose the Christmas tree or attending special holiday services together. Christmas means “open house’” for those who traditionally welcome friends and family in this hospitable way during the holidays. Look into each heart and you will find a special association with Christmas — but, as varied as the reasons may be, they all celebrate the truest meaning of the season: the birth of the Infant Jesus. Santa While some in this country choose not to observe the Santa Claus tradition at Christmas, which is their privilege, for most American children, Christmas Eve is a magic night, unmatched. . _ t , How many have tried to stay awake Christmas Eve night to hear Santa land on the roof? How many have left food by the fireplace? How many have thrilled at the thought of a glimpse of him? How many millions of letters have been sent to Santa, of hopes for wonderful toys and fun? If it can’t last, and it can’t; if it isn’t real life, and it isn’t, it’s nevertheless a magic time of joy and excitement, and wonderful anticipation for youngsters. It’s also rewarding for parents. For young and old, sweet memories never die — and help keep the family home a nostalgic, loved centerpiece in our memories. Christmas Eve In many countries December 24 is as much fun as the 25th. In Scandinavia the big family Christmas dinner is on the evening of the 24th. In England Christmas carols are sung on Christmas Eve. In many American homes a family - dinner the afternoon or evening of the 24th ushers in Christmas. The custom of lighting candles (now lights in most cases) in windows on Christmas Eve originated, in this country, in Boston. The Santa Claus legend and many of our carols come from Germany. The legend has been expanded and changed in America, with greater emphasis on toys for children. Christmas Eve night, of course, is the high pitch of anticipation for millions of youngsters. Christmas Eve originated, in this country, in Boston. The Santa Claus legend has been expanded and changed in America, with greater emphatsis on toys for children. Christmas Eve night, of course, is the high pitch of anticipation for millions of youngsters. Many churches have special Christmas Eve services. Some church choirs still go about singing carols on Christmas Eve. The great Christmas rush, unfortunately, reaches a hectic climax for millions on the 24th. If one can plan ahead and enjoy a leisurely Christmas Eve, the day can bring as much pleasure, fulfillment and reward as the 25th. Your chance to be heard Government is often criticized for being too involved in the lives of the citizens. On the local, state and federal level, the cry is usually about the same: “get government out of our lives. ” Kosciusko County is not immune from this kind of criticism. It too is often accused of the same evils as the state and federal government. No place else in county government is this cry for non-involvement heard more than at the Area Planning Office. Simply put, area planning involves regulating what people can do with their own property. On the surface, this looks to be nothing more than carrying government too far. In the long view, however, effective county planning is essential. It increases property value, in most cases, by limiting the kind of development in an area. It also serves to protect those in the surrounding area from improper and possibly dangerous development of unsuitable soils. But the problem with the Area Planning Office, like most government branches, is that it ’s hardly noticed by most citizens until it starts to effect them. One portion of planning involves formulating a master plan —a system of guidelines and goals for the entire county In this portion of county planning, your voice can be heard. And that’s exactly what is being done right now. Area planning director Dan Richard and assistant Pat Watkins have scheduled two meetings a month — on the first and third Thursday — to meet with various constituents to discuss their concerns for county planning in their sphere of influence. Agriculture preservation is the topic for the next meeting, scheduled for January 20. More topics will be discussed throughout the winter. If you would like a say in the county’s future, contact the Kosciusko County Area Planning Office at 457-5757. This is your chance to be heard.

What others say — ' Farmer's prayer “Dear God, give us the patience and wisdom to understand why a pound of steak at $1.89 is high, but a three ounce cocktail at $1.50 is okay, and Lord, help me to understand why $3 for a movie is not bad, but $3.50 for a bushel of wheat that makes fifty loaves of bread is unreasonable; a 50-cent Coke at a bailgame is okay, but a 30-cent glass of milk is inflationary. * ‘Cotton is too high at 65 cents a pound, but a S2O shirt is a bargain. Com is too steep at three cents worth in a box of flakes, but the flakes were sold for 50 cents aMrving. “While you are at it, dear God, please help me to understand the consumer whp drives by my field and raises his eyebrows when he sees me driving a $30,000 tractor that he helped to put together so he could make the money and drive down the right-of-way they took from me to build a road so he could go hunting. “Thank you, God, for your past guidance. I hope you can make some sense out of all of this, and please God, send some rain. — Agri Finance

. . . And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Jydea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Luke 2:3-5

Court news i

MARRIAGE DISSOLUTIONS The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko County Circuit and Superior Courts: Gay — Carl L. Gay vs Kelly Gay, 106 E. Boston St., Syracuse. The couple married May 22, 1976 and separated November 30, 1982. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution of the marriage, respondent x to be

Unsung heroes —

iH I Hi f ib* ■ PH , * m KEN OSWALD

Being a fireman runs in the Oswald family

Being a fireman runs in the Oswald family, and according to Ken Oswald he used to ride with his father whenever possible Oswald's father. Jack, is a charter member in Allen County and his oldest brother is also on a fire department. "I like the excitement and danger as much as the service. I’ve always been one to volunteer my time to an organization, remarked Oswald. He has been on the Syracuse Fire Department for five years and an emergency medical technician for three years. During his years of service Oswald has served as second assistant chief from January 1981 to August 1981 and then first assistant chief from August 1981 to January 1982. He recently was elected as secretary-treasurer. Oswald is the youngest officer on the fire department "There's nothing I dislike, there isn't a thing I complain about. Everybody here works together and have saved an awful lot of damage to homes and the procedures are good.*' Oswald is no longer an EMT due to the fact his response time is greater since moving further away from the station. However, when he joined the fire department in 1977 he had no interest at all in the ambulance, but after he

awarded care and custody of children, reasonable sum of support to be paid by plaintiff and an equitable division of property Koher — Karen L. Koher vs Michael M. Koher, r 1 Leesburg. The couple married April 26,1975 and separated December 2, 1982. Plaintiff seeks a dissolution of the marriage, custody of the couple’s two minor children, attorney's fees and costs

joined he felt nothing but good feelings about being an EMT. “I've seen a lot of terrible things.” commented Oswald. He is a 1977 graduate of Wawasee High School and has worked for the past three years for Bakers Market, Syracuse and North Webster. Oswald and his wife, Jill, have a 22-month-old son. Michael. An ambition of Oswald’s is to become a state trooper. “I have my application in,” commented Oswald, who added he has always wanted to be a trooper.

THE MAIL-JOURNAL IUSPS PvblnMd by The Mail Jaw nil every WeOneiday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse. Indiana aasar Sacond class postage paid at l«3 E Mam Straet. Syracuse. Indiana asset and at addihonal entry aHtcas SubscriptiM >ll per year in Kosciusko County. SIS outside county POST MASTERS Send change of address terms to The Mod Journal. P O. So> 10b. Mdtord. Indiana aasai

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

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ONE GOOD Christmas photo begets another. / Last week this column ran a photo of a beautifully decorated Christmas tree that graces the main hallway of Wawasee High School, and as one can well imagine, we’ve'beenjhjoded with a number of excellent photo opportunities as a result. Helen (Mrs. Robert) Miller of Oakwood Park, former secretary to the pastor of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Wawasee Village, called our attention to the equally beautifully decorated chancel area at the church. The above black and white photo, taken last Thursday, fails to do justice to the colorful scene. Besides having two well decorated Christmas trees, there are over 40 poinsettia plants donated by members in memory of loved ones, which flood the chancel with their colorful radiance. Many of the donors took their floral pieces home with them following Sunday's services. Pastor David Maish invites anyone who cares to to visit the church at any time to see the church’s decorations. MARYJANE DEARDORFF. r 3, who has more than a casual interest in animals, is calling our attention to the fact that small buildings that shelter pets and other animals should have their openings turned away from the storm and winter winds, usually to the southeast. Also, MJ states rations for such animals kept outside should be increased during the winter, and an adequate supply of fresh, unfrozen water should be provided. J.B. HOY of the rural North Webster community, an "agile man for his years.” continues to push his "Rose For Friendship” program, and received encouraging news from Third District congressman John P.Hiler last week. 1 Cong. Hiler wrote, ' Since I last wrote you, my office has begun drafting legislation for introduction in the 98th Congress that would designate the fourth week in June 1983 as "A Rose For Friendship Week,” and designating Wednesday of the week as “A Rose For Friendship Jbay.” HENRY SMITH, branch manager of the Lake City Bank’s Village office in Syracuse, got the surprise of his life last Wednesday. He was called into the main office in Warsaw to be told by bank president Douglas Grant that he was being promoted to vice president. Meantime, a phone call to the local bank’s personnel alerting them of the promotion gave Kay Hare, Arlene Dellinger and Pam Unruh, with the help of their auditor Bob Sandy, time to decorate Smith’s office "with bunting, balloons, way-out signs, all in a mini-celebration of the event. The local branch opened on April 19. FOR A 21-year-old soldier to be invited to a White House Christmas party would be a thrill indeed. This was the fate of Sergeant Todd A. Eby, son of Jane (Mrs. James) Fry of r 3 Syracuse and Arthur Eby, Goshen Ford dealer. Todd is assigned to a unit known as HMX, commonly called the "President’s Own Battalion," which has charge of his helicopter, things of this nature that render a personal service to President Reagan, out of Quantico. Virginia. Todd, in the service just three years, attended the party with his wife Brepda (Hunt), also of Goshen, on Saturday night, Dec. 18. Jim and Jane were to leave today (Wednesday) to visit the young couple and to "get the first-hand scoop” on their visit to the First Family’s Christmas party ANY LOCAL citizen wondering about the progress being made for the replacement of the South Huntington Street bridge can put his mind at rest. It’s been postponed — indefinitely. This came in a letter this week from W. B. Abbott, the engineer of bridge design of the Indiana Department of Highways. He wrote, “Due to the current shortage of funds, it has been necessary to postpone the starting date of many of our projects including this one.” At a June 25,1980 public bearing at Wawasee High School, at which 23 interested local residents were in attendance, officer Harold E. Fancher said he would recommend starting the bridge work in the fall of 1982, to be completed in early spring of 1983. Estimated cost: >187,888. Mr. Abbott writes further, “Plans for the project are complete and the right-of-way is dear.

The project was originally scheduled to be let in February, 1983. Construction was to begin in the spring with completion by fall. “Because of inadequate funding, the contract has been withdrawn from the February letting and will have to be delayed until funds do become available. At the present time we don’t know when that will be. I’m sorry 1 can’t be more definite but until the funding picture is clarified our schedules are very uncertain.’’ HAS THE cost of Christmas trees gotten so high that some people don’t care how they come by their trees? This seems to be the case at Maxwelton Golf Course where it was discovered about a week ago that a beautiful Blue Spruce, valued at from >4OO to >SOO. was cut down, dragged across the golf course to North Shore Drive, then disappeared. BIG THINGS appear to be happening in Wawasee Village. We can report on three businesses where activities are in progress with a promise of good things to come. One is a quasi-story, inasmuch as the new owners don’t want too much known at this. time for personal reasons. It will be a new business in a 2,800 square foot building now being readied for occupancy. The two principals in the business, which is being moved to Syracuse from Goshen, are knowledgeable young men, and the business, we’re permitted to say, involves the manufacturing of orthopedic equipment. The other business is the Laundry Basket, a laundromat now under construction by Larry and Penny Heckaman, due to open about midJanuary. It will reflect Penny’s excellent taste and be of the Colonial Williamsburg theme. , Penny reports the Laundry Basket will have 25 washers in three sizes and 14 double size dryers. It will be attended at all times and have a 24-hour drop off service. The third Village business is Gropp’s Famous Fish of Stroh, in the building where Foo and Faye Wong had their Cantonese Restaurant for years. The business was operated by the Don Storeys first at Maxwelton Golf Club but more recently in the Village building owned by Ray Gans. Storey, a teacher at Wawasee High School, closed out his building supply store and is now in the process of selling Gropp’s Famous Fish of Stroh to Herschel Wells, owner of the local Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. Storey closed its doors on Sunday, Dec. - 12. ... . • • ‘ After several weeks of re-organization Wells hopes to re-open the establishment about midJanuary with himself and his wife Charlotte assuming active management. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have owned Kentifcky Fried Chicken here for 44 years and have operated that business successfully, reflecting a good grasp of the food business. Herschel is a native of Henryville, Ind., a town of 500 people in Clark County about 18 miles north of Jeffersonville, on the Ohio River. Wells notes that Henryville is the home tow'n of Col. Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. “In fact,” he says, “the Colonel and my grandfather went to a one-room school together, and I used tq mow his sister’s yard as a kid.” The colonel opened his first restaurant across the river in Kentucky, and the general public knows the rest of that story. Welb stated his daughter Pam and her husband Roger Kelley are moving to Syracuse from Oxnard. Calif., to operate the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet while the Wellses are “just up the road” operating Gropp’s Famous Fish of Stroh. TALK ABOUT the Christmas spirit. The , Wawasee Kiwanis Club knows what giving is all about. Tomorrow (Thursday) dub members.will be making the rounds to some 15 to 20 area needy families to give out 87 pairs of shoes, toys, gift certificates, food, clothing and over >2,000 in actual cash! Total value: >4,800 to >5,000. This, according to “Bock” Sanders, chairman of the club’s Needy Family Committee. It’s the sixth year the club has committed this gracious act of charity. Sanders claims to have collected “over >l,lOO in cash myself,” added that the club is “deeply gratified at the public response to the program.” “Just super,” beadded Sanders b a mighty hunk of a man himself, and while there is no evidence that he “threw hb weight around” in collecting money and merchandise for the program, wo feel the dub chose the right fellow to do the collecting. THERE ARE times when we wonder if there is anyone out there reading the chaff that fills this (Continued on page 5)