The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 41, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 October 1983 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL - Wed., October 26,1983

Editorials

A Halloween remembered As noted in a front page article many events will be taking place during the next several days that are directly related to what has become a “fun time” for youngsters and adults alike. Monday, Oct. 31, has been set as trick-or-treat night in all four of the greater Lakeland communities. Times, however, vary. Towns have been forced to set special nights because youngsters began trick-or-treating as far in advance as two weeks before the holiday and the event got out of hand. There was also a time when there was more tricking than treating. This editor remembers as a child being warned that tricking was not the thing to do. Our instructions were that if the people said no we were to say thank you and leave ... no questions asked, no tricking. It was a yearly treat to join my Goshen cousins on a trick-or-treat outing there and I will never forget one such occasion — we were out a day or two in advance of the holiday and knocked on the door of an elderly couple. Both came to the door and told the three young gobblins that they were sorry but they didn’t have a thing in the house. We thanked them and left. They in turn called us back to the door and gaye us each a dime. In those days 10 cents would buy two candy bars, a bottle of pop or a number of other things. The reason: They were afraid we were going to soap the hundreds of tiny windows at the front of their home and when they found we were walking away, they decided to give us the dimes and let us treat ourselves. For some reason, during the course of growing up, some things stand out in a person’s mind and every Halloween I think back to the instructions my cousins and I had from our parents and can’t help but wonder if parents still give those instructions today. Halloween Halloween has its origin among the Druids, centuries before the Christian era, and from the Roman festival of Pomona. Later, the church adopted the day as a special one. The name is of Christian origin, referring to the eve of All Hallows Day. Druid customs were firmly entrenched. Though the Romans outlawed their observances in Britain and Ireland during their occupation, observances survive to this day. Halloween is one. To the Druids, October 31 was the end of the year, and thus the festival. The Druids believed this was the time good souls of the dead went into animals, especially the cat. They believed punishment of the wicked could be lightened by gifts and prayers. In the U.S. the day has come to be associated with young people. They collect goodies in trick or treat calls —a vast improvement over mischief and destruction of former years. Seasonal fires Outdoor fires this time of the year cost American people billions of dollars and account for a number of tragic accidents. To avoid uncontrolled fires follow these suggestions: 1. Burn only in areas where fires are permitted. 2. Never start an outdoor fire on a windy day. 3. Clear an area around the spot where the fire is to be started. 4. If possible, hook up a garden hose for use in an emergency. 5. Never start a fire near wooden buildings. 6. Never leave a fire until you are sure it’s completely out. The Reformation One of the most significant events in history is observed October 31 — Protestant Reformation Day. The Lutheran church and many of the Protestant churches of Europe observe the Sunday nearest the 31st as Reformation Day. This is in memory of all Saints’ Eve in 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his famous theses to the door of the castle in Wittenberg, Germany. It was the beginning of the Reformation. Luther, a Roman Catholic priest, was shocked by the vice and corruption in his church and by such profit-making customs as priests selling indulgences. The showdown for Luther came in 1515, when Pope Leo X proclaimed an indulgence which was exploited by the archbishop of Mainz, who selected a Dominican priest, Tetzel, to roam Germany urging the buying of indulgences from the church, both for the living and dead. In 1517, Tetzel came near Wittenberg. It was too much for Luther, then a professor of theology at the local university, and he nailed his ninety-five point theses to the castle church door. Though in Latin, they were quickly translated into German and they soon appeared all over the country. Many thinkers agreed with Luther, and the split began, which produced a more individual-liberty-oriented faith and promoted reform in the Roman Church, a process still grinding along. In 1530, Luther’s followers met in Augsburg and drew up a summation of their beliefs, still the basis of the Lutheran faith. Luther condemned the monastic system and the celibacy of the clergy (today being hotly debated) and in 1525, married a former nun. They had six children. He died in 1546, perhaps having influenced the history of the world more than any other man. What others say — A little piece of paper The following article, written by Julia C. Mahon of North Grovvenor Dale, Connecticut, has special significance for all drivers. It reads: Because of a little piece of paper today is a very special day . This world suddenly belongs to me in away it never did before. I also belong to it in a new way. That child pedaling his bicycle along the road — I see the years of love and , sacrifice that brought him to his place. I realize the incalculable heartbreak if some accident should befall this child. The man approaching mein the pickup truck is a very ordinary looking man. But doubtless he is the heart and mainstay of some nearby home. The old lady glancing about hesitantly before crossing the street is elderly and slightly stopped, walking with studied care. How precious these late September days must be to her. God, make me alert that no action of mine may darken or shorten the life of one of Your people. Today is a very special day for me. I hold in my hand a little piece of paper that is a passport to a broader world of freedom and discovery. God, grant that I use it only for good. Today I received my driver’s license.

W / / 1) It's time to think of jack-o-lanterns, witches and black cats — Halloween is October 31. h 4 in i 457-3666 Or M-J Hulse Ca 11658-4111, Ext. 17 QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Do you think that the Marines should remain in Lebanon? Results of last week’s question: How have you been affected by the drop in the inflation rate from 12.4 per cent to 2.9 per cent? I’m a recent college graduate and haven’t really been affected ... I didn't know it had dropped... We have been able to buy a car because of the drop in interest rates... Food prices don’t seem to change as much ... I have been able to buy some bigger items that I’ve been saving for... Hasn’t made much difference to me.. .lean buy more gas for the car and do more driving now . .. Food prices are better. .. Cheaper gas ...lam able to have some extra spending money and can do some fun things I had to give up when inflation was high. Rev. Richey — 'A task well done'

Perhaps I’m too close to this situation to be a fair judge. However, since 1 am the one doing the writing, you’ll have to settle for my side of the story. Before losing my vision, I had pledged to do two very different things. First of all, 1 planned to be a part of the Creative Retirement Conference at Epworth Forest near North Webster. This involves, as you’d guess, retired persons interested in ongoing life with its various challenges! In 1982 there were 80 full time registrants — the best in our four years of leadership. It was a beautiful conference. Our eldest man was 94 years young and our eldest lady (who would admit her age!) was 88. Beautiful people! Our youngest

Court news

CITY COURT The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Operating on expired dealer plate — Mathias E. Saxman, HI, 33, Syracuse, $34 Speeding — Richard A. Stahly, 54, Syracuse, S3B; Tammy J. Cook, 19, Syracuse, $43

Taiwan to purchase Indiana com, soybeans

Mei-toun Wu, vice minister of Economic Affairs, will lead some 40 Taiwan government officials and leaders on the Eighth Agricultural Procurement Mission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the United States. The procurement mission will make a three-day stop in Indiana beginning October 25. This visit is one of 23 stops to be made in 54 days. In an effort to promote the sales of Indiana’s agricultural products, Gov. Robert Orr and Lt. Gov. John Mutz are hosting the procurement mission in a series of business meetings and tours of agricultural research centers and companies. Lt. Gov. Mutz, commissioner of agriculture, hopes up to $42.6 million will be spent by Taiwan on Indiana soybeans and corn. The last procurement mission in 1978 brought Indiana a gross of $18.4 million. “High level factTwo injured Milford driver and passenger were slightly injured in a threecar accident on US 33 Saturday afternoon. Pamela G. Leblanc, 34, Milford, driver of the car, and Patricia McKibben, 39, Milford, a passenger, both complained of neck pains following the mishap. The Leblanc auto was hit from behind by a car driven by Webster Hotmire, 68, Union Qty, Ohio. The impact of the crash caused Leblanc’s car to hit a third car which was driven by Robert M. Sutter, 31,58954 CR 37, Middlebury. Damage estimates totaled over S3OO for Hotmire’s car, over SI,OOO to the Leblanc auto and less than S3OO to Sutter’s car.

participant was around 60 (just a kid). All of the people were vivacious and energetic and entered into the program in a beautiful wav. The second program to which I had pledged myself was our annual fall canoe and camping trip (otherwise known as R.R R.R.R.R.R. - Ross Ridley’s River Retreat Regarding Rollicking Reverends) on Michigan’s beautiful and challenging Pine River. This was held on September 28, 29 and 30, three of God’s most carefully designed fall days. It was just beautiful in every wav. There were only 16 of us, but food and fellowship and weather were all tops! What a three-day outing!

Reckless driving — Bruce W. Huff, 26, Milford, $283,90 days in jail, suspended on condition defendant not commit a similar offense for one year, license suspended for 30 days Blocking an intersection — Ronda L. Kinsey, 17, North Webster, S3B

finding agricultural missions allow Indiana to attract much revenue and recognition for being an outstanding producer of corn and soybeans,” said Mutz. “It also allows Indiana to set up future trade missions which will greatly benefit other food producers. ’’ In a June visit to Taiwan, Gov. Orr proposed the procurement mission also considering the purchase of value-added food products from Indiana companies. Products specifically named in this proposal include popcorn, peppermint, spearmint, wine, honey, turkey, duck and wild ginseng. Orr’s formal proposal has been unmatched by any other state and will be followed up by a Hoosier trade mission in the spring Companies involved in the Taiwan Procurement Mission will sign contracts today (Wednesday). Orr and Mutz will officiate the contract signing in the Statehouse.

TNi MAIL-JOUWMAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000) fry /VLjjiimatter at the Post Office at Syracuse, lifrlUjlftfr MjjA'fr Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46547 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: >l4 per year In Kosciusko County, U. 50 outside county POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mail Journal, P.O. Box 188. Milford, Indiana 44542.

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

By DONALD C. KIME IF YOU have planted a garden for vegetables or flowers, you cannot procrastinate in caring for them. Some people dream and boast about the fresh succulent vegetables they will grow for their table — row upon row of tomatoes, peas, lettuce, carrots and kale so abundant in harvest they can pass on generous helpings to their neighbors. They carefully prepare the plot of ground. The seeds and plants are chosen with care and the thrill of planting in orderly rows becomes a reality. Some weeks later, you venture to politely ask. “How does your garden grow?” You are sorry you ask because of the pained look on your neighbors face. The reply. “When we got around to it. the weeds had taken over and the insects and worms were taking over, so we abandoned it.” This spring and early summer interspersed with rain and cold windy days with so few periods of warmth have made me ponder as 1 pay some special attention to every growing plant in our small plot of ground. -O’FATHER ALWAYS planted potatoes on Good Friday — so did all the neighbors who planned gardens. The cut pieces of potatoes were placed “eyes up” in the cool moist ground and carefully covered. Then you waited for the light green shoots to break the ground’s crust to become sturdy plants. Then came that period of routine of inspection for potato beetles in these days before sprays and powdered insecticides. Armed with an empty half gallon Karo Syrup - can that had had an inch or two of kerosene added to it, and with a shingle in the other hand, you went down the rows and batted the beetles into the can. You also carefully brushed over the underside of the leaves to get the larvae. When you spied the batteries of small insect eggs, you plucked that leaf and placed it in the can. It was a tedious back-bending job you had to perform every other day. The boy became so proficient and faithful in stooping down the rows that he boldly unfolded his fondest dream to his father in the hope his father would make that dream come true. The family garden plot consisted of a good quarter of an acre that must be cultivated and weeded. . The contract was not signed for father was a man of his word. The boy had set his heart on owning “The Ranger,” the most wanted bicycle of that day. It had a sturdy frame enameled brown trimmed with white and red tread, whitewall tires with matching peddle pads, handle bar grips and mud guards, plus a genuine leather seat. But the crowning gadget was a horn fastened securely to the handlebar. A round knob at the top of a ratchet bar extended into the horn. When you banged down on the knob, the horn emitted a throaty “0,00,000), OGGLA” that made the horn on a model “T” Ford blush with envy. It was the boy’s

Meet the candidates — Steve Miller has civic pride

Milford Town Board President Steve Miller says a sense of “civic duty” prompted him to first run for town board in 1978, and it has inspired him to seek reelection in next month’s town election. Miller is running on the Democratic ticket for the seat representing ward one. His opponent is Republican Dennis Wuthrich. The 33-year-old Miller, who is a life-long Milford resident, joined the board in January of 1979, and became the board president a little more than a year later. Among the projects the board has been involved in during his stint in office that Miller is especially proud of are the east side sewer project, the successful attempt to get railroad crossing guards, the town’s improved water system, and the CTB expansion project, which will bring Milford a new water tower and system

Margie Brooks wants old job back

Democratic candidate for Milford clerk-treasurer Margaret Brooks is no stranger to the position she is running for. She was appointed to be the town’s clerk-treasurer in September of 1975 after the office was vacated by Harry Schultz, and ran for and won her own four year term the following year, serving through the end of 1979. Mrs. Brooks returned to the position briefly this summer when it was vacated by the resignation of Maria Lozano. “I know the job, and I know 1 can do the job,” said Mrs. Brooks, who said she has always been interested in town government. Her husband, Jim Brooks, is a former town board member himself, and her mother, Mrs. Fay Hollar, has worked on the election board for many years. While she isn’t certain when or if it would be possible, Mrs. Brooks would like to see Milford at some point hire a town manager. “It would not be a politician, but a business person who is only interested in the betterment of Milford,” she said. “It would be nice to have a full-time person whose main responsibility was to seek out available state and

most wanted possession. FATHER'S JOB made it necessary far him to travel and be away all week. He faithfully returned home Saturday evening to spend Sunday with the family. When he left that memorable Sunday evening, the garden was a pride and joy to behold. Rows were straight as an arrow, and the green of each variety of vegetable showed their personality. Monday was bright with sunshine. There were puffs of white clouds drifting lazily across the sky. The boy bugged the potatoes, looked at the weed-free garden and told his mother he would swim, play “one old cat-bat” with friends on the school ground, and tell her when he left to go fishing. When he returned home at 6 p.m. for supper he failed to look at the garden where upon close scrutiny you would have seen a shadow of green down through the rows. Tuesday was another ideal day for swimming, playing batt and going fishing. He looked at the garden when he saw weeds he said were too small to pull. The hand cultivator was hard to push. Anyway four days were left. Wednesday after the potatoes were bugged the boy spent the hours with care-free abandon. The weeds were growing. That evening at the supper hour there was no telecast with the report of genial, hard-working Paul Silvestro of WSBT to forecast tomorrow’s weather. Those days were yet to come. Thursday morning the boy awakened to a downpour of rain that continued all the hot and humid day. Friday morning the rain continued. “Rain before seven - quit before eleven.” That hot sultry afternoon with ground steaming he confronted the garden where he beheld with dismay the lettuce and radishes cou Id not be seen or weeds that seemed to grow inches as he furiously worked away at them. Saturday was another hot and sultry day that began at 7 a m. and ended at 6 p.m. when father would appear. Did he get the bicycle? Who is the person with the “Green Thumb?” It is a person with a thumb with other fingers who takes seed and plants and carefully plants to nurture their growth until mature. You may do your best work under pressure. 1 agree to part in that. You cannot grow a garden and procrastinate. If you are at odds with your fellow man and angry at the world, plant a garden. Take out your anger and frustration on weeds. I have never met a good gardener who was not in love with the good earth and at peace with the world. Look into the varied color of the flowers as they turn their faces toward you. And if you expect vegetables and flowers from your garden - do not put off caring for them on the morrow. -O'MR. KIME is a retired Methodist parish minister of Nappanee United Methodist Church, a back-packer and an amateur photographer. He is a resident of Oakwood Park.

The goals Miller has for Milford in the next few years include continuing the water system throughout the town, and to replace the old sewage system. Miller would also like to see those citizens not currently hooked up to the sewage system hook into the system in the relatively near future. Miller also hopes to see more industry come into Milford. “That will come about,” he predicted. “We’ve been working on that a great deal. It looks very promising.” Miller is a member of Wawasee High School’s first graduating class, and had attended Milford High School prior to making the transition to Wawasee. He has been a member of the Milford Fire Department for the past six years, and is employed by Kaiser Milk Transport. Miller and his wife Sharleen have three children — Jason, 12; Jacob, 10, and one-year-old

federal funds for the town.” Mrs. Brooks said she would like to see more industry come into Milford. “People would like to see Milford not necessarily grow a lot, but improve,” she said. Having spent her entire life as a Milford resident, Mrs. Brooks was asked what changes she had noted in the town in the past two MARGARET BROOKS

STEVE MILLER Elizabeth Ann. The Miller family resides on Schaffer Road in Milford

decades or so. “People are doing a lot more shopping in Milford, rather than going out of town.” she said. “The quantity and quality of products available have improved.” A graduate of Milford High School/" Mrs. Brooks lives on North Main Street with her husband and two children — daughter Kelly, age 14, and son Clay, 11. Mrs. Brooks is a member of the Columbian Reading Circle, Milford United Methodist Church and an auxiliary member of Kosciusko Community Hospital. Trailer frame hits parked car A minor mishap occured at the corner of Huntington and Main Streets in Syracuse at 4 p.m„ October 20, when a trailer frame being pulled by George R. Schisler, r 1 Cromwell, swung into an auto parked on the east side of Huntington Street as he was turning the comer. The truck pulling the frame is owned by Riblet Products Corporation, Syracuse.