The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 18, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 May 1985 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., May 1,1985

Editorials

Superior students win top honors Students from both the Syracuse and Milford Junior High School Problem Solving Teams placed high in state competition recently in Indianapolis and the staff of this newspaper is proud of both of these teams. The Syracuse team finished first in the intermediate division and the Milford team finished third in the junior division. In all, the Lakeland School Corporation sent five of 20 teams to state competition with more than 370 students from across the state, participating. Sponsored by the Indiana Department of education and Honors \ Program at IUPUI, state bowl first-place winners will represent Indiana in the international bowl June 2-5 in Cedar Rapids, lowa. The bowl competition requires teams to find solutions to dangers of the “greenhouse effect.” Students from Syracuse will be going to Cedar Rapids in the intermediate division and our good luck wishes will be going with them. . We feel it an honor to write this editorial on the problem solvers. These are students who are excelling above and beyond what is required in the classroom. They are students who have put in many extra hours on this project. They are students who need the support and the congratulations of the entire Lakeland community. Congratulations Alicia Schaekel, David Schmahl, Brad Gerstner and Jennifer Carty on your first place win. And, congratulations to Keith Bice, Britani Stoller, Matt Haab, Emily Meyers and Suzanne Schwartz for your third place finish. We know Connie Bailey is proud of her teams and she should be commended for her hard work and the extra hours spent in coaching these young students. Dumbing down r Education Secretary Terrel Bell recently criticized school textbook publishers for “dumbing down” textbooks so they could be used in almost any school. The idea was to avoid making textbooks too difficult for even the lowest achievers, so sales would be maximized. Publishers, of course, denied the charge, protesting perhaps too much. It’s a widely known fact that in many public schools the learning level in recent years has been dismally low. It’s highly unlikely the secretary of education would make any comment otherwise. The pendulum, at last, has begun to swing back toward common sense about school discipline and achievement. Publishers should take note of the reform 5 trend and upgrade tests. The same might be said about TV producers. The commercial networks have been “dumbing down” their programs for decades — that the dimmest moron may understand everything seen and heard. That makes content trite boredom for anyone with sense enough to drop rocks in a bucket. Both are selling, of course. The textbook publishers are selling books; the networks, products. The dumber the buyers are, and the greater number of dumbos reached, the greater sales. > Terrel Bell is telling textbook publishers to publish better school textbooks, in the national interest. Metrics no? Much impetus developed a few years ago to require Americans and American businesses to change to the metric system of weights and measures. A start was made — mostly via encouragement and recommendation, but in some cases by legal requirements. After all, England, from which we inherited feet, inches, pounds, and quarts, switched when enuring the Common Market. The changeover has been resisted by many Americans. Now comes word from Canada that the government there has decided to scrap laws requiring change. Too many Canadians don’t want to change. Neither Canada nor the U.S. is to join the European Common Market; both countries are in the New World, on a different continent. It might be, therefore, that feet and inches and pound and quarts, and gallons, will be with us longer than some had anticipated.

What others say —

Last minute wonders It was right there in the Sunday paper. Section B. Second or third story. About eight paragraphs down. “In a last minute legislative move, legislators proposed increasing their per diem expenses from $65 to $75 a day, giving legislative leaders a $2,000 pay raise and spending $1.5 million to build a “reception center”, or party house, at the Governor’s Residence.” That news, if read for the first time, should cause you to react with all the grace and goodwill one might associate with spewing hot coffee down the front of your pajamas. Good morning Indiana! The last days of the legislature have been described as dangerous days. All volcanic eruptions of hot coffee aside, this last minute raid on the state coffers is a case in point. Where was the discussion? Did they think nobody would be watching? Are all of Indiana’s financial problems resolved? License branches reformed? Are schools and roads adequately provided for? Did our legislators do such an outstanding job that they deserved to give themselves a raise? Were all the fine restaurants and dining areas in Indiana not good enough for “visiting” dignities? Will the new dining facility match the decourum of Mrs. Orr’s gazebo? It may look like a big bird cage but we are all the captives. And not a lottery to pay for it. Forget about all the rhetoric about fiscal conservatism. Hoosiers are encouraged to “Wander Indiana.” We might also “wonder” about Indiana with antics like this. The pay raises alone make you wonder if the idea of a citizen legislature isn’t numbered on the board. Soon the monetary rewards will create, if they haven’t already, a class of professional politicians who are only in it for the perks and the cash We would suggest that if legislators and politicians want to make big bucks they should do it, as John Houseman says in his famous plug, “the old fashion way... earnit.” And folks wonder why Americans are cynical about politicians and the government. -HENDRICKS COUNTY GUIDE-GAZETTE

“iN Shown ore Alicia Schaekel, David Schmahl, Coach Connie Bailey, Brad Gerstner and Jennifer Carty winners of the State Future Problem Bowl’s intermediate Championship.

Court news

City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Failure to yield at thru highway — Sally K. Stutzman, 42, Syracuse, $36 Failure of duty at property damage accident — Robert E. Buckey, 33, Syracuse, dismissed Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Bricker — Raymond Allen Bricker and Nancy Lee Bricker, r 3 Syracuse. The couple was married April 4, 1980 and separated April 12,1985. There are no minor children. Bell — Melissa Anne Bell and Kevin Edward Bell, r 2 Leesburg. The couple was married Aug. 29, 1981 and separated April 16,1985. There are two minor children.

Motorcycle shop burglarized

■®PtRS Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization involving the police, the media and the public in the fight against crime, offers anonymity and cash rewards to persons who furnish information leading to the arrest and the filing of criminal charges against felony offenders and to the capture of fugitives. The following Crime of the Week was furnished by the Kosciusko County Crime Stoppers organization:

Accident investigated

A 1978 Chevrolet, owned by Jahala K. Robie, 57, 217 N. Harrison, Syracuse, was struck by a car driven by Jo Ellen Senff, r 1 Leesburg. The driver’s door was open on the Robie auto and as Senff pulled from a parking space in Chore Time parking lot, Milford, struck the door causing an estimated S3OO damage to the left front fender and door of Robie’s car. Senff’s auto, a 1972 Chevrolet, received a small dent in the right rear fender causing an estimated SSO in damages. Large number More than 43 million Americans have one or more forms of heart or blood vessel disease according to American Heart Association statistics. Prom couples to Indianapolis Proms are moments to be remembered by anyone who attends, however, this year Sandy Payne and Anita Swope, both of North Webster, will have something a little extra to remember. Miss Payne and Miss Swope will fly with their respective dates, Brent Atwood and Troy Reith, both of North Webster, from Warsaw to Indianapolis for a dinner at Chant-A-Clear, complete with a limousine ride to and from the Indianapolis Airport. Upon their return to Warsaw, Miss Payne and Atwood will be chauffeured by limousine to the prom.

Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Lepola-Stephan Richard A. Lepola, 40, r 1 box 618, North Webster and Janice L. Stephan, 34, r 1 box 618, North Webster Keller-Smith Benjamin Joseph Keller, 24,728 E. Clark St., Warsaw and Sheryl Anne Smith, 21, r 3 box 515, Syracuse Brewer-Ridener James A. Brewer, 27, r 5 box 82, Syracuse and Mary Jean Ridener, 28, r 5 box 82, Syracuse Whitacre-Whitacre Dennis James Whitacre, 29, r 1 box 570, Leesburg and Jama Rae Whitacre, 29, r 1 box 570, Leesburg, re-marriage Boyer-Miller Tony Ray Boyer, 20, r 3 box 249, Syracuse and Karen Elaine Miller, 19, r 1 box 1648, Milford

The burglary of a motorcycle shop and the theft of a motorcycle is the Crime of the Week. In the late evening or early morning hours of April 25 or 26, unknown persons entered Lake City Honda, located east of Warsaw on US 30. Once inside, they removed a 1985 Honda 700 cc Magna motorcycle’. This motorcycle is black, in color. Also taken was a maroon, black and grey leather jacket. These items are valued at approximately $3,800. Persons with information concerning this burglary are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-342-STOP. Crime Stoppers will pay up to SI,OOO if the information leads to an arrest or indictment. Crime Stoppers also pays cash rewards on other felony crimes and the capture of fugitives. They only want the information, not your name.

The accident occurred on Tuesday, May 30, at 2:33 p.m. Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs investigated. Don't wait The average heart attack victim wait s three hours before deciding to seek medical help, according to the American Heart Association. As a result, each year 350,000 people die of a heart attack before they reach the hospital. The young too Most people think that heart disease only happens in the elderly. Yet according to the American Heart Association, each year almost 200,000 Americans die from heart and blood vessel disease before age 65. THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000) Published by the Mail Journat every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse. Indiana 46567. Second class postage paid at 103 E. Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices. Subscription: sls per year in Kosciusko County; s2l outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of ad dress forms to The Mall Journal, P.O; Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542 ©

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

WHAT’S IN a name? Perhaps not as much as we sometimes think. Even the old Bard Shakespeare had a comment on this, saying, “A rose by any other name would smell the same.’* That brings up the name of this column, “Crazin’ Around ’Cuse.” “Where did it come from”? we’re often asked. We’re not sure we can answer the question definitively, but some 20-odd years ago when this column had its genesis, as we recall it, local humorist/genealogist/historian Jack Elam had something to do with it. At that time, Jack was manager for Budget Loan Co., and the firm rented part of our Main Street building. Jack often said, “This paper needs a little more spice to it, a little more pizzaz.” Anyway, we think that’s what he said, if our fading memory isn’t playing tricks on us. “Well, come up with something,” we commented, thinking that’s the end of that conservation. He did, we ran it, and found it had considerable appeal. Then Elam copped out after a few weeks’ contributions, and no more his columns came flicking over our desk. “So, what the heck,” we thought. Why not pass along some of our current chores to others, and give the column a try ourselves. In supplying the name, Elam recalled that for years “Syracuse” was shortened to “ ’cuse” by many of the locals. And thus the name was born. Maybe it’s time the name be changed. But we’re not impressed with such mundane names ad _ “Curbstone Comments,’* or “From a Roving Reporter’s Desk,” such as that. And so, we’re asking our readers if they have a name they’d like better. And if they do, please send it along. We can already imagine what will be coming our way. We’re quickly reminded of the time the new Lakeland Community School board asked for names for our new high school. They received some dandies, and finally settled on Wawasee High School, a super choice. Well, anyway, we’ll be looking forward to those letters and cards! SECURITY ISN’T what it should be in some of • our military and naval bases, if one can believe Jack Vanderford, himself a Major in the armed services during The Big War. Jack and his wife Ann recently toured several points of interest on the east coast, including the Colonial village of Williamsburg and the big Norfolk, Va., naval base. They were given all the free reign they could ask for at the naval base, insofar as taking pictures was concerned. It especially seemed unusual for Jack, what with his own military background and the constant talk of U.S. military security. OVER LIGONIER-WAY, American State Bank president Tom Conner and his wife Sandy have only a little over a month until they depart for a round-the-world trip that will take them to two major communist capitals of the world. They are scheduled to leave New York May 5 for Helsinki, Finland, going on to Leningrad where a decisive major military encounter between the Russians was held. They go on to Tbilisi, Moscow, then on to Beijing (Peking), China. In China, they will visit the major cities of Nanjing, Suzhou and Shanghai, and back to San Francisco by May 25. ’ Sandy was Ligonier License Branch manager for a time until a change in state politics found her out of a job. Following that she worked on a part time basis at the Syracuse License branch, during which she became well known in the Syracuse area. THE UNIVERSAL emergency dial number — 911 — is bound to come up for consideration for the Syracuse community during the following year, if Bob Westfall has anything to do with it. Bob will be Chamber of Commerce president next year, and he has already told friends he plans to make this a major plank of his administration. The emergency number is working wonders wherever it is in place, according to Syracuse chief of police Warren Swartz, and he highly recommends it for the Syracuse community. Swartz says most of Elkhart County has it in place now, although there are areas in that county that are not on line as yet. While Kosciusko County is not using the 911 emergency number, conditions seem favorable for its implementation in this area. Syracuse already has in place a 24-hour dispatch service at the fire station, which gives the community a leg up on installing such service. No one could be sure what additional cost, if any, would be incurred by installing the 911 emergency number in Syracuse. TOM AND Barb Strichter arrived at their r 1 Syracuse home at mid-week last week from a pleasant week in Richmond, Virginia, where they visited daughter Cindy, who is in graduate school there. The previous Sunday they played golf under a hot, penetrating sun, and were to learn on the news later that Richmond was the hottest place in the nation. Barb is John Kroh’s right hand helper at Thornburg Drugs. WE CAN’T say this too loudly, but the grapevine informs this column that a certain printing firm in Wawasee Village is scouting around for a new location, and has not ruled out the possibility of building an entirely new plant. The reasons are two: Lack of sufficient space for their growing business in its present location, and the recent water problem that left them without the use of their plumbing facilities. DEB PATTERSON, in charge of The MailJournal’s Syracuse editorial offices and general assignment reporter, was caught off guard last

Monday night at the FFA awards banquet, when she was presented a certificate of appreciation for her work with the group of embryonic fanners. Being behind the camera, she wasn’t in any of the photos of those honored. AIRLINE PILOT Dick Prescott, a resident of 300 Front Street, has a recommendation: that residents keep their cats inside. He calls stray cats a threat to young ducklings being hatched in the area. It will seriously threaten the duck population in the area, if this is not done, he contends. THE TOWN of Leesburg has decided to join the growing number of area communities that have chosen to honor one of its own with a “Citizens” recognition dinner. The affair is scheduled for Sunday, May 5, “right after church,” says Leo Anglin who is in charge of pulling everything together. Anglin is immediate past president of the Leesburg Lions Club. It’s a carry-in, to be held at the new Lions Building on School Street, Anglin says, adding that the entire community is invited. Who is to be honored? It’s a big secret, Anglin says. Leesburg has plenty of citizens deserving of the honor. IF ANYONE knows of a certified Red Cross water safety instructor who wants to work in the summer swimming program at Wawasee High School from June 17-July 26, here’s your chance. The school is looking for qualified instructors. This year’s sign-up for the program will be by early registration. Forms will be found only in The Mail-Journal. There will be no Saturday morning sign-up as in years past? The application will be printed in the paper this week and next. For more information, contact Kim Lobsiger at the high school. » IT MIGHT be, as some say, that the influx from Florida really takes off on May 1. But we know of three couples who are already home and getting their houses in order for a good summer: • They include Merl and Maggie Smith of East Shore Drive (Smith-Walbridge Camp), Ken and Esther (Ken calls his wife “Em”) Curtis of r 2, and Paul and Eva Penn of r 4. The Smiths are home from Orlando, the. Curtises from Naples, and the Penns from Port Charlotte. The Penns flew home, then picked up a new Chevrolet in Indianapolis, which they drove home. Expect others to be rolling in in the several weeks ahead. IF THE area ever had a self-help group, it is those fellows (and their wives) of Enchanted HillsPapakeechie Lake area. They worked like troopers to get themselves a fire station, named Turkey Creek Fire Station No. 2, through donations, pizza sales, things like that. In all, they raised something like $13,500 for building and equipment. So much of the building’s labor was donated as well. The truck was from the Turkey Creek Fire Department in Syracuse, but new equipment was needed. Now they’re at it again. This time they have raised $23,000 for a weed harvester, which went into use last week. E-H has nine miles of channels to be maintained, and our bet is that Russ Richardson, who will operate the new unit, will do his level best to keep the channel weed-free. Others who worked on fund raising would include Larry Singleton, Ron Sims, Ron Corson, president of the Papakeechie Lake Association, and Wayne Brockett, now in Florida. THE LAKELAND Evening Bridge-O-Rama year-end banquet, to be held at the Kale Island Beacon on Sunday afternoon, will feature two new awards, both posthumously: One to Blanche Thornburg, and the other to Dr. G. W. Stalter, both avid members of the group that has been meeting in ten matches during the past seven months. These will become annual awards. Other awards will be given out following a dinner. ALL BRIDGE players go somewhat by their own rules, even those experts of the game, or so we’re told. Marie (Mrs. John) Fisher of Warsaw gave this column the following set of “Revised Rules” she thought would be of some interest: 1. Pick up your cards as dealt. You will be ready to bid ahead of the others. 2. If your hand is rotten, mention it. It will guide your partner in his bid and play. 3. If your partner bids first, don’t hesitate to raise; he has to play it. , 4. Never hurry. Try several cards on a trick until you are sure which one you prefer. 5. Occasionally ask what is trump. It will show your interest in the game. 6. Don’t show lack of interest when you are dummy. Help your partner out with suggestions. 7. Walk around the table when you are dummy and look at the other hands'’. Tell them what cards are good and how many tricks they can take if they play right. 8. Talk about other subjects during the game. It makes for good fellowship. 9. Feel free to criticize your partner. He will do much better as a result. 18. Always trump your partner’s tricks; never take a chance. 11. Don’t try to remember the rules; it is too confusing. ■ '■ . . ; c . 12. If it is a money game, always stop when you are ahead. It will leave a lasting impression and folks will remember you. (Continued on page 5)