The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 32, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 August 1985 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., August 7,1985

Editorials

A joint venture For the first time the Lakeland communities of Syracuse and North Webster are teaming up for a joint effort. They are cooperating in three big days of special bargains for area shoppers. The sale, to be held this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, is featured in a special section in this issue. It is thought the sale will be a benefit to persons who can shop in both communities. With these two communities and Milford making up the Lakeland Community School Corporation, the joint venture seems a natural. We should see a lot more teaming up in the future. It’s a benefit to all. Where is our county fair gping? Many regular attenders of the Kosciusko County 4-H Free Fair are asking the question, “Where is our county fair going? And, “Is it time to take a new look at the fair?” Questions are increasingly being asked about the fair — such as, “It isn’t what it used to be. Why not?” • It’s true, the Kosciusko County 4-H fair for years was one of the very best fairs in the state of Indiana. And it should be, for such an affair is essentially a county effort. And, as much as we like our lakes and industry for what revenues they generate for our county, Kosciusko County is essentially an agricultural county. We rank among the top in county agricultural income. Our county fair should reflect this. Why, then can’t our county fair be among the best in Indiana? Many remember when it was among the best, and the Elkhart County fair was a struggling effort, that teetered on the brink of bankruptcy. Not so now. Indeed not. For the Elkhart County fair is one of the best in the nation by conservative judgment. Our fair board is small, seldom rotates, and truly needs a shot of new, young blood. This is more than a personal opinion — it is fast becoming a common consensus. The fair is lacking in good attractions that bring in the big crowds. Its races fail to have wide appeal, and its commercial building needs enlarging and renovating badly. Its midway has become sleazy and unattractive. Even the cattle barns could stand an upgrading, in the estimates of many who participate and have their youngsters show their prize animals. We won’t go into public rest room facilities. The farm equipment show — and remember Kosciusko County is an agricultural county — is almost an aside to the midway. It’s difficult to find, hidden away back of a fence, and poorly supported by farm equipment dealers of the county. The fair queen contest is attracting less interest than in years past. This year, for instance, there were only seven queens in the competition, and their funds were down. And that’s another thing: This event is shrouded in secrecy, with the sponsoring sorority making no accounting of funds collected. There is no hint here that these funds do not go into charity as advertised, but when one gives to the eager and attractive young contestants, he has a right to know where the money goes, and how successful the drive was. Perhaps a completely new beginning of the fair is what’s needed. We can’t be sure. But certainly the fair as it exists today needs a new look, a bright new thrust. The fairgrounds are well located and are prime real estate for home or industrial development. It would bring a good price on the market and provide funds for a new and larger fairgrounds. What we write here is not written in anger. It’s written in the best interest in bringing the Kosciusko County 4-JI fair back to the high standards it has enjoyed in years past. Think about it. August 6 On August 6,1945, a superfortress named “Enola Gay” and piloted by Col. Paul Tibbets arrived over Hiroshima, Japan. It carried the first atom bomb used in war and dropped it on that city of 343,000. Sixty percent of the metropolis was devastated. Another was dropped five days later on Nagasaki; the two killed 70,000 people and made another 120,000 homeless, in addition to injuring thousands of others. ' Japan sued for peace within days. Thus the two atomic bombs proved the psychological and military shock that ended the war. Much nonsense has since been written, here and abroad, about he supposed inhumanity of America in using the horrible weapon. Their use probably saved hundreds of thousands of U.S. fatalities and casualties by shortening the war.

What others say —

Teachers' report cards may not make the grade Teachers have taken a lot of heat lately and experts around the country have looked for ways to upgrade the reputation of educators. In 1984, the Indiana General Assembly passed a law requiring new teachers to pass minimum competency tests in order to earn state teaching licenses. The law does not affect present teachers or those who had applied for licenses until midnight June 30. The tests, produced and graded by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, N.J., measure communication skills, professional knowledge and general knowledge. They are made up primarily of multiple choice questions but also include a writing exercise. Starting July 1986, new junior and senior high school teachers will also have to take tests in their specialty fields. That portion of the testing was delayed because the testing service did not have tests in all of Indiana’s licensing areas. The contemporary tests may be an excellent idea, but the extent of their focus is limited. By testing only students coming directly from college who are applying for teacher certification, we are perhaps criticizing our universities for their inadequate preparation. We are not looking directly at the school system itself and problems which may exist there. Students graduating from four or more years of testing in college are accustomed to such tests but lack any extensive, unsupervised experience in the classroom. If these tests are really to assure the public of the competency of our children’s teachers, then shouldn’t all teachers be required to take the exams? And shouldn’t that also include administrators? If competency is the question, a test of supervisors’ skills should be equally important. Teacher competency testing as it is now designed may be a beginning to give the public some assurance that teachers meet minimum standards, but it should not be seen as a final solution. Ideas such as staff observation of teachers and use of video tapes in the classroom to critique and give positive reinforcement to teachers are among many other ideas that should be considered. Education is a continuing process and teacher competency testing should not be a one-shot effort which pretends to assure the public that all is well in the classroom. \ - PAUL SANDERS, THE CORYDON DEMOCRAT

|’ I / IJ f I l\l Items or ideas 1.1 I 11 1 for items for this cob / J I » | a ■— > / umn will be cheerJ AROUND CUSE V = mi. ■■ C -SlWi|

Be sure and visit Syracuse and North Webster during their joint sidewalk days Aug. 8, 9 and 10.

Court news

City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding — Kathaleen M. Jetmore, 55, Syracuse, SSO Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Green — Marilyn Y. Green, no address given, and James W. Green, r 1 box 483-BA, Leesburg. The couple was married Sept. 1, 1984 and separated July 22, 1985. Morganthaler — Timothy C. Morganthaler, r 3 box 35, Syracuse, and Maryellen J. Morganthaler, 201 N. Huntington, Syracuse. The couple was married Jan. 1, 1983 and separated June 22,1985. There is one minor child. Shock — John Ezra Shock, t 2 box 529A, Syracuse and Barbara Jean Shock, r 4 Greenhaus Apartments, Syracuse. The couple was married May 24, 1978 and

Letters to the editor

Happy Birthday

Dear Editor: In 1987, Syracuse will be celebrating its 150th birthday. The Sesquicentennial committee has been looking at various ways of celebrating the event. As a beginning, a logo contest was held and a winner selected. We feel that the chosen log will represent the Sesquicentennial with a flair! Next, to raise some working capital, the Sesquicentennial committee elected to have the Franzen Brothers Circus come to town on Saturday, Aug. 31, with two performances. Posters and tickets will soon be available.

Praise for a talented troupe

Dear Editor: I am writing to praise the extremely talented troupe at the Enchanted Hills Playhouse. Jill Stover, producing director, and Jeffrey Koep, artistic director, have really outdone themselves in hiring their summer troupe. I had the extreme pleasure of seeing their production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” and was most impressed. All aspects of the production were quite professional and the amount of talent assembled on the stage was amazing. Jeffrey Koep’s direction produced beautiful pictures throughout the evening, Alan Chambers (musical director) presented delights for the ears and the performers were each talented in acting, dancing and

Vandals soap car windows Vandals are being blamed for an incident on SR 13 in Syracuse last Friday. Mary Ellen Morganthaler reported that her car windows were soaped on both the inside and the outside. Police have put the time of the incident somewhere between midnight and 5:30 a.m. on August 2. The police have no suspects at this time. I Okays travel The Reagan administration, citing Greece’s “positive actions” to improve airport security, cancelled its warning to Americans to avoid Athens International Airport or face a higher than usual risk of hijacking.

separated July 11,1985. There are two minor children. Himes — Pamela Sue Himes, r 2 Leesburg and Anthony L. Himes, r 9 Warsaw. The couple was married April 9, 1983 and separated July, 1985. There is one minor child. Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Metz-Shively Timothy Dale Metz, 21, r 7 box 77, Warsaw and Kelly Sue Shively, 19, P.O. Box 233 Leesburg Smith-Brouwer Tai Stewart Smith, 32, 145 El Ray Park, North Webster and Barbara Jayne Brouwer, 27, 501 S. Harrison, Syracuse Ringler-Ritter Douglas E. Ringler, 32, r 3 box 604, Syracuse and Cheryl Lynn Ritter, 26, r 3 box 604, Syracuse McFarland-Hapner Christian Michael McFarland, 23, Elkhart and Rhoda Ann Hapner, 22, r 3 box 588, Syracuse

Now you know what’s been done so far, the rest is up to the people of the community. We need ideas, enthusiasm — and sweat. All are invited to attend a planning meeting on August 12,7 p.m. in the Syracuse Scout Cabin. Get in on the ground floor and help make this the greatest birthday party any community ever had! Sincerely, Sesquicentennial Committee William M. Beemer Chairman Deb Patterson Committee Member

singing. The troupe worked extremely well together as a ensemble. The choreographer, Charlie Misovye, presented some of the nicest moments of the evening. His choreography was exciting, creative and left the audience hungry for more. I am sure that he had talented dancers, but his expertise in design was superb. I have always enjoyed attending performances at Enchanted Hills, but the amount of talent presented this year is truly amazing. Congratulations to the producer and director for treating Northern Indiana with great theatre! If you haven’t treated yourself to professional theatre recently, may I highly recommend Enchanted Hills. Very truly yours, L. Ross Rowland First vice president Indiana Theatre Association

THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258-4000) Published by the Mail-Journal 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 address forms to The Mall-Journal, P.O. Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542 'Ow

E* v ■• w 4■OB S | * A >-> <«■ > • • r,. t h 3l IT WAS almost like Spring in Syracuse last Thursday morning when two crews of workmen were doing their thing in the uptown area. A private concern was working on a contract basis for the Northern Indiana Public Service Company to replace 197 street lights with the newer, low wattage, higher illumination high pressure sodium lights. It’s part of a program worked out by the utility company and various town boards and city councils in NIPSCOLAND to provide better lighting at less cost, according to Robert Westfall, who is in charge of the utility’s Syracuse office. The new lights went in earlier at Milford, where 88 such lights were installed, and at Cromwell where 44 were installed. Then, various associations like the Wawasee Property Owners’ Association are going into the program. WPOA, for example, has installed and will be paying for 13 of the new lights. Other groups will include the Kale Island Association, Highland View Gardens, and Oakwood Park, just to name several. We should all notice a vast difference, Westfall assures us. He added that from 42,000 to 44,000 of the new lights would be installed in the utility’s service area. At the same time, a crew of Indiana State Highway Department workers were in town patching chuck holes the full length of State Road 13 as it went through town. Ordinarily, this is a Spring task, but most everyone is happy to see the work done at any time. SOMETHING NEW has been added, and we think it’s great. Ever hear of the First Annual Superintendent of School Kick-Off Breakfast? Well, you have now. It’s an opportunity to get community leaders in the Wawasee School Corporation together in an inaugural effort for this first-time breakfast. Time: 8 a.m. Tuesday, August 20. Place: Cafeteria Commons at Wawasee High School. It will be an opportunity for Dr. Kenneth Webster to present the school corporation’s goals for 1985-86 school year. A letter of invitation notes, “It is an important event, one that you will want to be a part of year after year as you hear new goals as well as a State of the Corporation address...” % The letter adds, “We are proud of our past and look forward to the future as we will all strive for excellence in this year’s theme: The Year of the Teacher.” * IF THERE are any “Greek” women in the Syracuse area, this is to serve notice that they are invited by the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Club ' of Kosciusko County to join them in a dutch treat luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at the Viewpoint Restaurant in Warsaw. The call is going out from Jacque Grant, wife of R. Doug Grant, Lake City Bank president. Mrs. Bill (Jeanne) Jones is the group’s president. LEWIS S. Immel, first superintendent of the local school corporation and a native of New Paris, has a keen eye for local history, and (thankfully) lets us know when we are off base. In last week’s article in this column about Seth and Bertha Rowdabaugh, we noted that former Judge Rowdabaugh taught school in the one-room Hex School on Highway 6, and at Syracuse High School where he taught agriculture. Our information came from Ron Sharp.

Immel claims this was not entirely true, that Rowdabaugh, in fact, taught agriculture in the New Paris school. “I should know,” said Immel, “because I was oneof his students there.” Another student in that class was Charles Rock, Jr., now an uptown businessman. The good judge wrote a letter for admission into the University of Michigan law school for Immel, a bright student himself, and Immel took a year of law at the university law quadrangle, then gave it up. Immel said he soon learned law was not for him. ’ 808 AND Mary Jane Knudsen, of 167 North Shore Drive, are home from motor vacation to Mt. Rushmore, the Bad Lands, to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Boulder, Colorado, for several weeks. They visited daughter Judy and her husband, Al Johnson, at Boulder, and daughter Diane, her husband Rick Cressman, and their children, Kyle, 5 and Erin, 3. Diane and the children made the return trip to Indiana with the Knudsens and will be here for a time while Rick, an Air Force Major, completes a course of study at Scott Air Force Base at St. Louis. ALICIA AND Dave Coppes, who spent the summer with friends and family in the area, will return to their Scottsdale, Ariz., home tomorrow (the Bth). Dave, well known in the area, said he has “had a ball” visiting around, and sporting his unique license plates. The front plate is “Arizona,” over “IND. 1”. TOBY AND Oswald are expecting to leave for Saudi, Arabia, on Saturday, following a stay here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schumm in the Hunnicutt Addition. Jerry had already returned to Saudi, Arabia, where they have a home in Daharan. En route to America, the Oswalds purchased a Mercedes-Benz automobile in Germany, and after driving around Germany for a time, they returned to the United States and had their new car sent over later. It arrived a week ago, and Toby, has had a lot of enjoyment showing the new car to her many friends. IT WENT almost unnoticed, was really a parenthetic remark, in the order of business before the annual meeting of the Wawasee property Owners’ Association Friday night. . It was president Bill Spurgeon’s calling attention to the “retirement” of his unusual nautical four-in-hand necktie, that he had worn at each annual meeting since 1957 when outgoing president Jack Vanderford informed Spurgeon that, really now, the group’s president should be properly suited and wear a necktie! It remains a mystery where the tie came from. Larry Hannah accused Spurgeon of having only one tie! The tie is destined for the auction block when the Enchanted Hills Playhouse will hold its celebrity auction. Unless the celebrated tie sleeks off into oblivion and is nevermore heard of, we plan to keep our readers who are interested in such local trivia informed as t<yts future life. —°— 4 THE MYSTERY of the closed Pacer Service Station at 108 South Huntington is no longer a mystery. The station with its quick food service has been closed for several weeks, with no public notice. According to an article in the July 29th issue of The Muncie Press, Pacer Oil Co., which operates service stations in Syracuse and five other Indiana cities and two Michigan cities, has filed a Chapter II protection from its creditors, in accordance with the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, at the federal court in South Bend. The company asks protection while it formulates a reorga nizational plan in order to continue business and repay its creditors. Pacer lists assets at $l.B million and liabilities at $2.25 million in court records. A creditors meeting is set for August 16 in the South Bend bankruptcy court. A GUEST last week at the home of Jay and Lucille Peffley, at their East Shore Drive home, was their daughter Cheryl, (Mrs. Hamilton Hanson) of St. Petersburg, Florida. Cheryl, well known in the Syracuse community, is an elementary teacher in the South Pasadena, Fla. public school system. She also visited her sister, Marcia (Mrs. Bill Zimmer) and her family at Huntington. JOE GRAY (Col. USMC-Ret.) spent part of his 68th birthday (Monday, Aug. 5) contemplating his job transition. < The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce executive secretary for the past W years, the good colonel is winding up those responsibilities to devote more time as a paid volunteer for the Mental Health Association of Kosciusko County, working with its president, Dr. David W. Robinson, also of this community. Col. Joe began his new duties March 1, and is rapidly becoming acquainted with the respon(Continued on page 5)