The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 44, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 November 1983 — Page 12

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL - Wed., November IL 1983

Webster couple in Jamaica at time of Grenada invasion

By MARY LEE WILLMAN Mr. and Mrs. Stan (Donna) Stuck©, Barbee Lake, were vacationing on the Island of Jamaica during the week of October 23-30. On Tuesday, Oct. 25, the nearby island of Grenada was invaded by American and multinational forces from surrounding Caribbean countries. The invasion was made at the request of the Eastern Caribbean States (DECS) following a bloody take over of Grenada's elected government by a small group of cuban and Soviet backed thugs. The Stuckos weren’t sure what the reaction of the Jamaican people would be towards Americans when they heard about the invasion. “There was no problem”, said Donna, “just the opposite. Every one we came in contact with was relieved and glad something was finally being done. We went sightseeing just about every where on the island except Kingston and we weren’t interested in a large city”. Almost half the population of Jamaica is located in or near Kingston. The Stuckos stayed at the Casa Montego Hotel in Montego Bay. Their room was on the end of the seventh floor with balconies facing both the ocean and the mountains. “It was so beautiful,” said Donna. “We could watch the big ships coming into port to load and unload. We were high enough to see the curve of the earth out on the ocean. We spent a lot of time resting and eating on the balconies and watching the every day life of Jamaica through our binoculars. The Stuckos were impressed with the cleanliness of the people, property and country. Even though most of the islanders are desperately poor and live in small houses, about eight by ten feet and made of odds and ends of building material, everything is spotless. Clothing is washed daily on rocks in a nearby river. A homemade soap is rubbed into the clothes and they are hung over bushes, etc. “To burn clean in the sun." There is no trash or debris around homes, businesses or along roads. “The groups of school children we saw were so neat, clean and polite”, said Stan. “Even though the country is poor the children wear uniforms and are required by law to attend school. The way they were neatly dressed for school made me think about the way some school kids in the States dress and act. We just don’t realize how well off we are in this country.” This is the rainy season in Jamaica and the temperature is about 80 to 95 degrees. “The rain comes from about 4 to 5 p.m. each day”, said Donna. “So, its rather easy to plan activities around the weather”. She laughed, “I asked our guide how often it rained.” The guides reply was, “Oh, it rains here every day unless it doesn't.” One special highlight of the trip was the day the Stuckos spent on what is called “A cockpit country tour” visiting a remote mountain village where members of the Maroon tribe live. The Maroon are descendants from a warlike African tribe of runaway slaves. They escaped slavery in the 1600’s and have lived ever since in the desolate, rugged interior of Jamaica. They have a chief,

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Horace Crawley, and are self-governing. The trip to the Maroon village was made by van along a route that provided a good look at plantation of sugar-cane, bananas, coconuts, cocoa and coffee beans. The Stuckos ate in the small, primitive home of one of the villagers. “We were made to feel so welcome,” said Donna. “Here, as well as every place else in Jamaica, everything was spotless. We shared a meal of rice, chicken, red brans, coconut tea and chicken broth with our host family. They have little or no candy for sale in Jamaica and you see no fat people.” There were three youngsters at the maroon village who asked Donna to take their picture so they could earn some change. She gave them some change and a roll of candy mints. They asked what the mints were and what they should do with them. Donna explained and the children were delighted. The Stuckos are preparing to send a box of much needed clothing to the children. Donna said, “I’m going to put one rolls of candy mints in the box. They wouldn’t remember our name but they will remember the lady who gave them those mints.” The Jamaican people went out of their way to add many little personal touches to the Stuckos visit that warm and lasting bonds of friendship were formed. One day an employee at Casa Montego was wearing a shirt with “Notre Dame” across the front. When Stan mentioned that they lived near the famous school the man made it a point to wear the

It happened ... in Syracuse

IB YEARS AGO. NOV. 17.1973 Mrs. Joe Hapner was hostess for the Thursday night meeting of the Shady Ladies Bunco chib. Karen S. Allen was among 13 Butler University Spurs who attended the Spur regional convention on November 3. George Xanders, son of Mr and Mrs. G. L. Xanders, North Shore Drive, has been selected as a resident advisor at Whittenburg University for the 1973-74 year. 26 YEARS AGO. NOV. 18.1983 The Syracuse Arts and Crafts chib met at the home of Mrs. W E. Long, Monday evening on November 11. Howard Kline has assumed the management of the D X station in Syracuse located on south Huntington Street. R. Leon Connolly, town attorney for Syracuse since 1946, has requested his name not be considered for the post when the new town board makes up it's official family after it's members take office the first of the year. He said the press of legal business has made it necessary for him to give the job up. The Leesburg Blue Blazers proved too much for the Syracuse team in basketball Friday night. Leesburg won 60-46. 36 YEARS AGO, NOV. 17.1953 Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Brown and Mr. and Mrs. David Brown spent Monday morning in South Bend on Business. Mrs. O. C. Stoelting was hostess to the Syracuse Bridge

shirt every day while they were there. Donna laughed, “The words “Notre Dame” became a little more faded each day from being laundered but be wore it to try an please u. He also gave me a rather rare 25-cent Jamaican coin when he found out Iwas putting together a collection for my grandchildren. In return 1 gave him the pocket knife I’ve carried around in my purse for years. He was so thrilled that I gave him a personal belong. We’ve just never met such delightful people.” Donna sighed, “Wespw and did so much it seems like we were there much longer than a week.” There was no bothersome insects which made a night time river cruise especially enjoyable. The round trip was made in hand hewn, dugout canoes with hundreds of bamboo torches lighting the way. When the party goers reached their down river destination they were served Jamaican food and entertained by a Calypso band. The Stuckos made another river trip, this time during the day, riding on 30-foot bamboo rafts that are four to five feet wide. No more than two people at a time can ride on one of the rafts that is poled along by the guide. The four to five inch wide bamboo poles that made up the raft must be replaced about every nine months because they become water soaked and are no longer safe. Donna chuckled, “we went to see the largest supermarket in the Montego Bay area. It was a room about 15 by 20 feet on the third floor of a hotel.” The open

Chib Tuesday at a luncheon held at a local restaurant. The group then went to the Stoelting home forbridge. Mrs. Charles Searfoss was injured last Sunday when she was thrown from a horse. She was taken to Elkhart General Hospital and will be confined for sometime. Ed Keinknight and Ernest Rogers of the S and M Motor Sales have just returned from Indianapolis where they attended a private showing of the new 1954 Chevy trucks. Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Doll from Dayton, Ohio, were week end guests of Mr. and Mrs. Theries Doll.

r •’?'A /■"’ *' A- ’ A~\' - 25 YEARS OF SERVICE — Stewart Snyder, left, is shown congratulating Jerry Lowe, right, after Snyder, superintendent of postal operations in the Syracuse Post Office, presented Lowe with his 25-year pin. Lowe joined the postal service in July of 1958 and has been the route 2 carrier at Syracuse for the past 22 years. He began as a route 4 carrier, serving in the position for three years. In addition, he served in the military for two years. Lowe said he “enjoys his work very much.” (Photo by Cathy Brill)

Milford Jaycees are sponsoring 'Toys for Tots'

Once again the Milford Jaycees will be sponsoring a “Toys for Tots” project during The upcom ing Christmas season Christmas is a very special time of the year for children, and this opportunity will make it extra special for the less fortunate kids. The Jaycees are asking for donations of new and used toys that they can distribute to needy

@ene I Photography By ■ JoLene Hum • Weddings* Portraits • Senior Pictures* Children I 356-3187 Route! 834-2660 Huntington North Webster North Webster

air markets and craft shops were a delight accordtag to Doma'she purchased beautifully woven and decorated straw hats, hashed and a fen. She continued, “People drive on the wrong side of the road (English feshion) there are goats and beer every where. People stop there for a beer like we stop for a drink of water around here. But, you never see anyone Oa the glass bottom boat tour the Stuckos met a lady from Washington State who went scuba diving with the boat driver While , he was bringing sea urchins and a variety of fish up to the bottom of the glass boat for people to see the lady spotted a coin embedded in coral. The boat (fri ver helped her pry it loose. It turned out to be a 190 Jamaican 50-cent piece but that dktal make the adventure any less exciting. Sunken treasure is still sunken treasure. It seems the Jamaican authorities have their problems with airplanes coming in from the States, landing in fields, loading all the marijuana that can be carried and flytag away. Stuckos saw a field with abandoned airplanes sitting around. Their guide explained that the authorities watch for the planes and when they land the engines are removed and taken to police headquarters. You can pick up the engine anytime but you will be arrested for drug traffictag. The pilots then tried landing planes on back roads so authorities placed 15-foot high steel posts along the roads. Now if a plan tries to land the posts sheer off its wings.

50 YEARS AGO. NOV. 14,1933 Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Sargent and Hazel left on Sunday for Terre Haute where they will visit relatives for a few days before going on to Florida for the winter. The wedding of Miss Gertrude Rauschenberg and Harry E. Ramsey, nephew of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Long of Kale Island, took place in Chicago. The honeymoon is to be at the W. E. Long home. This is the 4th honeymoon spent at the Long home. Syracuse High School defeated the Cromwell basketball team 19-13 last Friday evening. The Syracuse reserve team won by an overwhelming score of 34 to & At halftime the score was 22-2.

children in the Milford community. Ages of the children should range from infant to junior high. It is emphasized that used toys be in good condition. Collectionbn boxes will be located soon at several Milford stores with collection ending approxamately on December 15. More information to the exact location of the boxes will be announced in the next week or so.

tvfryiMg is oeauuiiu “Everything was so beautiful,” sighed Donna. “We saw the Lumenous Phosphrous l<oen where sea water glows in the dark, colorful tropical birds, plans and vegetation, there are streets under archways of growing bamboo, we visited underground caves where slaves hid, and toured island coves, jungles, bays, beaches, gardens and old homes. We visited the Bush Doctor, who treats every ailment with herbs and plants. We also saw the Limbo King go under a eras bar that was only five inches off the floor. He pulled himself akwg with his tees. Every evening there was some kind of entertainment around the pool at the hotel. Our favorite was the evening they had a children’s feshion show with local youngsters doing the modeltag.” “The only word to describe our visit to Dunn’s River Falls is “unbelievable”, said Donna.” “I climbed up MU feet to the tap where the terraced falls plunges down into the sea. It was such a gradual incline I could hardly believe it when 1 turned around and looked down.” It’s a wonder bananas don’t cost more than they do, because a single stalk produces only one bunch of fruit . Once the stalk has been cut other new shoots will appear. The nicest fruit is covered with blue plastic bags to protect it from weather and insect damage while it matures. Cocoa beans in their natural state look and smell unpleasant It’s only after other ingredients are added that it begins to take on the look and aroma of what we purchase at the grocery. Sunday in Jamaica is observed as a religious day of rest . There is no dancing or music. There are a few restaurants and duty free shops open for tourists. The Stuckos brought home a copy of the October 30 issue of the Sunday Gleaner newspaper published in Kingston, Jamaica. It is filled with articles, editorials, profiles and interviews supporting the Grenada invasion. The Barbee couple unknowingly picked a historically significant week to take their vacation. Donna concluded, “When we boarded the plane to come home the pilot told us we would be 45 minutes late landing in the States. He explained that the plane would be flying a wide arc around Cuba. On the way down we had flown within sight of the Cuban coast. Not one passenger objected to the changed flight pattern.”

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-Wg DUNN’S RIVER FALLS A Caribbean View —

Thank God for America

ffwrors NO7F Hfo following orhda was writton by Dr Claudius Thomas for *a Doi/y Hail. London. Fr»g/and, Octobar 28. It appaarad in foo Sunday G/aanar published m» Kingston. Jamaica. on Octobar 3ft ft was brought to tho status by Mr. and Mrs. Stan Sfodto o# North Wabsfor who ware vacationing in Jamaica a* tbatimaj Long after the fighting on Grenada, is over, the political battle over America’s right to come to our rescue will divide the world. The Americans have been accused by the Russians of being imperialist aggressors. Other Communist countries have called them bully boys - and even the West has criticized them for helping us. How many of these people really understand, or want to understand, the problem? We consider that a small and extremely violent group of Communists had hijacked Grenada and that they had to be stopped as quickly as possible - not only because of the brutal events taking place on the island but because of the threat they posed to the whole Caribbean. It wasn’t the first time we have faced this problem. A few years ago a boat load of men was intercepted on its way to overthrow

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the Barbados Government. Similar attempts were tried their year against the legitimate governments of St. Lucia and Dmonica. Many people may not be aware of the closeness of our islands. They are very small; there is a lot of intermarrying between the islands and families are spread through the Caribbean. Part Os A Fa wdb So we were deeply shocked when we saw Grenada’s leaders and senior politicians as well as innocent women and ctekbren be * tag murdered in cold blood. It wasn’t just happening in a neighboring country, but to part of the family. That is the first thing you in Britain have to What frightened us all was that it could happen so easily and so quickly. The Marxists just came in and took the island over. It undermined the security of all the islands. When the United Kingdom was in charge before independence came, we knew we were protected. Knowing that support was no longer there. We asked for help to get rid of the danger. We knew we hadn’t the strength to do it on our own. We desperately wanted the British to come in and us because they have been our

friends and allies for so long, and you’ll find no greater love in the world than ours for our Queen. Wanted Action We were very disappointed with Her Majesty’s government. We wanted action, not discussion, but London seemed to want to pussyfoot and dillydally around. To wait a month might have been too late. Once the communists get in they are very difficult to get out. So, we had to stop the killings and restore democracy. We went to the Americans. They were ready to help at once. There is no possibility of the Americans maintaining a peace keeping force. They will be asked to leave the moment the fighting is over. We will do that job ourselves The international criticism of interference with another country is absolute nonsense. People on the other islands are concerned about the safety of their friends and relatives, as well as their own futures. This was away of securing that. The sadness is that we now know Britain can no longer be relied upon to help us. It’s hke cutting your umbilical cord. But thankfully we also know that America is there - and does bdp-