The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 32, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 August 1983 — Page 2

2

THE MAIL-JOURNAL—Wed., August 24,1983

.i. I 4 / ' BfrFH/'iiKKl fisH ■ •■ • ( ICKi B? tt^ . B I '"v -' i; 111 J wil I I s ’ I ■■ ■& x ; * B w AT THE TOP — Photographed from 320 feet above the ground, Don Feece, owner/operator of Tower Erectors Co. (TECO), Plymouth, illustrates how a bulb is changed on the top of a tower under construction at United Telephone in Warsaw. In his right hand, Feece is holding one of the safety hooks that are a part of crew members’ climbing belts. The hooks can be secured to part of the tower or a cable that is used to lift materials and workers to the top of the structure. Other members of TECO’s crew are pictured on page 4. (Photo by Gail Widmoyer)

Hundreds of feet up— Tower erection is "critical"

By GAIL WIDMOYER “If you’re going to be grouchy, we’ll send you home to bed,’’ joked one member of the Tower Erectors Co.’s (TECO) crew. But in the next breath, another comment changed the mood and the five-member crew knew all attention had to be turned to completing, work on the 320-foot tower under construction at United Telephone in Warsaw. “I want to get some work done before we have to leave,” commented Mike Maclain, the newest member of the TECO crew. “I’ve been working here about a week,” he continued. “I worked here before, found another job and decided it was boring, so I asked Don if he could take me on.”

. -r—---yn 11 i i nPRWR * 1 1 - L 1 I | Lt «■ ’-oQHMSftsBF ,> r mR W *dl 4 I Wf i i ,A WI IB’ ! ~tv ACROBATICS — All jobs performed by TECO crew members are “definitely dangerous" since successful completion of the jobs depends on the personal skill of each crew member. Don Feece, Jr., pictured above swinging from an ice bridge, exemplifies the strength needed by each crew member for the “heavy work.” Other crew members pictured are: Mike Maclain, standing on the brace; Bill Norris, on top of the ice bridge; Cory D.L. Walker, observing from the ground; and Don Feece, Sr., TECO owner/operator, working behind Walker. (Photo by Gail Widmoyer)

EASY I RIDER TO AND FROM CHICAGO'S O'HARE I EVERT 2 BOORS EVERT ... 7 Day* A Weak i, J In AD Kind* Os Weather! Cail Your Travel Agent United Ijmo knUffL KEESKik

Donald L. Feece ownes and operates the Plymouth-based company and has worked in tower construction for 14 years. r “It is definitely a dangerous business,” emphasized Feece when asked about the risks involved in building the mammoth structures. “Fortuantely we have never had a serious accident — and I don’t want one.” Expertise Spells Safety Safety is an important component of tower erecting, but without expertise, safety would mean little. While working on a tower, all of the crew members, the majority of whom are under 25 years of age, wear climbing belts equipped with two safety hooks — their sole cautionary equipment with

the exception of leather boots that protect their feet. ■v Using their hands and arms to their weight while climbing from one part of the tower to another; gripping the braces with their feet; and above all, using their heads, are crucial requirements for tower erection crews. Even though three of the five TECO crew members have under one year experience, all are skillful and confident in their acrobatic movements, moving from brace to brace with ease. Teamwork is another essential of tower erecting since besides being dangerous, the job is also “heavy work.” But Feece has faith in the competency of his crew, “They’re a good bunch,” he complimented. The Crew Foreman Bill Norris has five years experience with TECO and is now able to complete jobs without Feece s supervision, with the aide of other crew members. Don Feece, Jr., with his father’s sober disposition, adequately resumes job responsibilities when neither of his superiors are present. Cory L.D. Walker and Maclain complete the five-member team that is ready to travel to any state in the union to construct a tower. “We have built towers from Arizona to Texas to New York,” Feece explained. “The tallest we’ve ever built was a 672 (footer) in Phoenix. Each tower varies in heighth as well as construction. ” Depending on the purpose of the tower, materials used for construction differ in weight and structure. The varying materials, acquired from Pirod Tower Co., Plymouth, may make one job “easier” than another, but Feece characterizes all of his contracts as “critical. There’s nothing about this job that can be taken lightly.” So why do they do it? Maclain thinks his job is “a lot of fun” because, “You’re never doing the same thing and you see a lot of different scenery. You’d be surprised at how what you see at 100 feet is different from what you see at 350.” “When it starts bothering me, that’s when I’ll quit,” added, Norris while Walker summed up the entire group’s feelings, “We’re just crazy.” But, the only way to fully understand TECO’s definition of crazy is to don a climbing belt, fasten the safety hooks to the cable and trust fellow workers, personal skill and the cable with your life.

SBBRRMkW- ' ■ mHHHKMHKS sfl TOWER LIGHT, 32* FEET HIGH

Springboard to new careers

Changing careers have become almost common place in American society. However, in order for these career transitions to be succerssful, many people have to learn new skills and many are turning to America’s trade and technical schools to learn them. Specialized trade and technical schools appeal to people seeking a career change because the training is job-oriented and intensive. In addition, trade and technical school emphasize “hands-on” training using the same equipment that is used on the job. Until recently, most Americans were content with one career. Today, however, with rapid advances in technology changing many jobs, it’s not too unusual to meet people who have hanged careers. Although it is difficult to define what constitutes a career change, most authorities agree it is really the individual’s perception that counts. If he or she perceives a job change to be a significant departure, it should be considered a career change. While the specific justifications people give for changing careers

Blue collar women

Nearly 18 per cent of the bluecollar work force is composed of women, and if predictions by the Bureau of Labor Statistics are correct, this percentage should increase through 1990. The National Association of Trade and Technical Schools, and organization of 600 accredited trade and technical schools, has seen its enrollments climb steadily since the mid-f96os, and estimates that the number of female students in its member schools rose 17 per cent between 1976 and 1980. Today, nearly 52 per cent of all students enrolled in postsecondary schools with occupational programs are women. In 1970, almost one-half million women were working in skilled crafts, up from 277,000 in 1960. This represents a rate of increase twice that for women in all occupations. By 1980, the number of women in skilled crafts jumped to 600,000. Learning a highly specialized skill to qualify for jobs in the blue-collar work force is one reason more women are attending private career schools. But the major reason private schools are so successful today is because, unlike many traditional institutions, they allow students better access and quicker more specialized training. Although there are nearly 100 careers listed in the Handbook of Trade and Technical Careers and Training, published annually by NATTS, more and more women are turning to careers in such male-dominated fields as electronics, plumbing, welding, truck driving, aircraft and heavy equipment maintenance and surveying. , “Five or ten years ago, employers were reluctant to hire women for many of these bluecollar jobs,” said Freedland. “But now there’s a serious Shortage of people trained in these

Television warns of hurricanes Lores Steury, Goshen College Weather observer, reports the worst hurricanes, in which lives were lost, were in 1900 in Galveston, Texas, when 6,000 people died and in 1928 when 1,800 people died in Florida. Since 1944 there have been three hurricanes exceeding 100 deaths due to the main warning signals, being television and radio communications, being better than in the early 1900 s. The most violent storm in this century was in 1969 when hurricane Camille killed 400 people and had winds over 200 miles per hour. Stuery remarked our area is seldom affected by hurricanes except for heavy rains. This would be a welcome sight, for area farmers, from Alecia.

B ———— Arriving Daily! H Sole Starts Today — Ends Sunday I AU FALL FABRICS I <XZ CHECKED GINGHAM POLYESTER ' ® £&R | FLANNEL double knits OFF twl |bj BROADCLOTH DENIM RETAIL FAKE FUR CORDUROY ■ AM- I nWh«K CALICO TERRY FLEECE 13 Uv/SPw’.Waa frtl i SPORTSWEAR — DESIGNER LINING & MUCH MORE! I ■■■ BEN* I I BWV FRANKLIN CVDACIICE H J . J I URVvJh ■

vary tremendously, labor experts contend that there are generally three basic reasons why most individuals seek a new career — changes in one’s family situation, job changes — plant shutdowns or the introduction of new equipment, or simply internal pressures caused by one’s preoccupation with career and life satisfaction. “Most people who desire a career change have a strong sense of commitment,” Freedland said. “They know what they want and they know we can help them without taking three or four years in the process. Access and time are vital. A lot of people are facing serious employment and career difficulties in this country and can’t wait until September or December for the training to begin. They need to start training today for tomorrow’s careers.” For many Americans, the everchanging job market will mean new jobs, new careers and new opportunities. In the years ahead more people will experience different jobs and different careers. To keep workers in touch with new developments and rapid advances in technology, equally rapid training will be crucial.

technically sophisticated fields, and women are being hired because they are needed and because they are as skilled as men.” However, some of the old obstacles still exist. According to recent Department of Labor figures, the median salary for women working full-time today is only about 59 per cent of that of men. In 1939, it was 58 per cent. Labor statistics also reveal that women are continuing to find themselves in socalled “female-intensive” jobs, and are automatically slotted to many of the lower paying fields in which they have been traditionally employed. But while progress has been slow, women are nevertheless making substantial gains in the marketplace through determination, schooling and training.

New M-J subscribers Donald Kime r 4 box 386 Syracuse. Ind. 46567 Tom Parrett 6014 Nassau Dr. Springfield, Va. 22152 Betty Shuff P.O. Box 241 Warren, Ind. 46792 Scott Siler r 1 Oakwood Center No. 24 Pierceton, Ind. 46562

Experience? Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again. — Democrat, Davenport, lowa.

I < 'bml STATE FAIR WINNER — Suzette Hunsberger, r 1 Milford, is pictured with some of the trophies and ribbons she has accumulated in recent weeks in 4-H competition at the county and state fair levels. Most of Miss Hunsberger’s awards came through her participation in the rabbit division, in which she captured the top honor, the Best Commerical 4-H Rabbit title. (Photo by Doug Walker)

Suzette Hunsberger captures top 4-H honors at state fair

Suzette Hunsberger, a rural Milford resident and 1983 Wawasee High School graduate, came home with from the Indiana State Fair with a bundle of trophies, ribbons, and honors, as she captured top honors in the rabbit category in 4-H state competition. Miss Hunsberger won top honors in two major rabbit categories, Best Satin (with a Californian Satin that had won best Cal Satin and best opposite Cal Satin) and Best Opposite Rex (with a Rex that had won best Rex and best opposite Rex). “The Rex have a short plush fur that’s sort of like velvet,” said Miss Hunsberger when asked to define the differences between the two categories. “Having no guard hair, their hair’s about a quarter of an inch long. The Satins have what they call comfB BF PRIZE-WINNING RABBIT — Suzette Hunsberger, r 1 Milford, is pictured with one of her entries in the Indiana State Fair's 4-H rabbit competition. Miss Hunsberger won the top honor in her division, the Best Commercial 4-H Rabbit title. (Indiana State Fair photo)

mercial fur, which is the normal rabbit fur that you see in coats, except the guard hair is transparent, making it look like it shines. They have nine different varieties in the breed of Satin, and 14 different varieties in the breed of Rex.” Miss Hunsberger’s Cal Satin advanced to the competition for the Best Commercial 4-H Rabbit title, the highest honor available for rabbit contestants, and it won the title, finishing ahead of over 600 other animals in the overall rabbit competition. The President of the Indiana State Youth Rabbit Association, Miss Hunsberger shows her animals in competition throughout the state, and as far away as New York and Wisconsin. She has been in 4-H for nine years, and involved with rabbits Mrs. Hughes attends workshop Mrs. James Hughes, Syracuse, attended a workshop on selection and use of microcomputers held this summer at Ball State University. The workshop was a nontechnical overview of microcomputer systems available for secondary classroom use. Participants explored word processing, data bases, and various educational software programs. It was taught by Dr. Lee Dye, Ball State business education and office administration professor. Mrs. Hughes is a teacher and resides at 47 North Shore Drive. Drainage Board meets Thursday The Kosciusko County Drainage Board will meet on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 9 a m in the old courtroom of the Kosciusko County Courthouse.

for seven years. Next year she will be showing in the Open Class in 4-H competition. Miss Hunsberger’s success with animals has not been limited to rabbits. Her Golden Retriever, Zeke, won Grand Champion Dog honors at the Kosciusko County Fair. , The daughter of Rodger and Mary Hunsberger of r 1 Milford, Miss Hunsberger will be leaving for Terre Haute later this week, where she will attend Indiana State University to study nursing.

Garden Tractor K's tough as all outdoors. ■ powerful 12 hp cast iron overhead valve ■ 12 volt electric start ■ adjustable high-backed foam padded seat ■ high float tires • rugged channel steel frame • conveniently located controls ■ 42" 3-blade mower super-smooth cut ■ 7 adjustable cutting heights Mil J®** $ 2 546 00 “FREE” 42" Mower Deck ($519.90) H & H Repair Shop, Inc. Diesel & Gas Engine Repair Lawn Mower Sales & Service 1 Mile South & % Mile East Os Nappanee