The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 50, Milford, Kosciusko County, 11 December 1985 — Page 13

It happened ... in Syracuse

10 YEARS AGO. DEC. 10.1975 . A dedication service for the new sanctuary of the Wawasee Lakeside Chapel, located a half mile north of the fish hatchery on old state road 13A, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. The first service in the new sanctuary will be the regular 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday. According to pastor Harlan Steffen the dedication speaker will be Rev. Herbert Yoder, a former pastor of the church, now of Nebraska. Standing room only was evident at the Monday night meeting of the board of zoning appeals held in the town hall at Syracuse where four items were on the docket including the request of Chet Elder to erect a temporary building on a plat of land south of Syracuse consisting of 75 acres. Miss Elaine Hoopingarner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Hoopingafner of Syracuse became the bride of Donald Hokhart of Mishawaka in a double ring ceremony at 1:30 o’clock

Everybody loved Aunt Pearl

By Don Kaiser Guest Writer “Don, of all the men I’ve known in my life, you’re the nicest and the most considerate.” These words came from a woman I had known for 40 years and when it came to being kind to others, doing for others and thinking of everybody else but herself, she was outstanding. As for the men in her life — well, she had plenty of those too, aged from about four to 14 years; for this kindly woman has spent the main part of her maiden existence taking care of other people’s children and their children’s children. I’m talking about a jolly, short, plump, round-faced little lady who was known to everybody as “Aunt” Pearl Evans. When she passed on she was 90 years young and a solid citizen most deeply loved by the 600 inhabitants of Leesburg, her home town. For five years I lived in a mobile home directly across the street from “Aunt” Pearl. During those five years I saw a great deal of her and got to know and really love her as though she were my own true flesh and blood aunt. Nearly every morning,. the minute I hopped out of bed, I would go to the front window to glance across the way toward the big weather-beaten two-story house, wondering if Pearl had made it through the night. (In recent years she had suffered occasional heart seizures.) Then after I got dressed, I would amble over to Pearl’s back door, (she practically lived in the kitchen), and ask her what she needed from the store. Os course, she always insisted that I “come in and sit for a spell” while she got the grocery list ready. Or, if she didn’t need anything from the store, we’d just sit and “chew the fat” about the latest happenings in town. Pearl often laced her conversation with bits of wry humor for she was a gal who loved to laugh. Pearl never considered the day quite complete until she had heard at least one funny, story to laugh at. Furthermore, the instant one of us got wind of a story we would waste no time in telling it to the other. Often in the morning, after we had exchanged pleasantries in conversation, Pearl would say, “Don, come over for dinner. Go to the store and get a nice chicken to fry and we’ll have fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy.” Or she would invite me to come some morning for side meat and mush. (Pearl loved fresh side meat) Many’s the morning she got her fill of side meat and mush for breakfast. Pearl invariably wandered over to my place of an evening to watch television. She had no TV of her own,as she felt it would be too expensive to operate. Pearl had to be very conservative for she only had her small social security check to survive on, although she often received nice assistance from her great niece, Norma, and her husband, Pat. I’ll never forget an incident that occurred one cold March evening. While I was sitting in my living room watching TV there came a loud, rapid “knock, knock” at my door. When I opened the door I was taken aback to find Pearl standing there in her bare feet, her hair all awry and her dress only half-buttoned over her slip. “Pearl, what in heaven’s name — ?” I began as she hurriedly stepped inside. “Don, there’s somebody in my house!” she stated breathlessly, her voice filled with terror. “Well now, come right over here and sit down and tell me all about it.” I said kindly, leading her gently to a chair. “My gosh, woman. You’ll catch your death in your bare feet.” How to stop those - unraveling ends Heat the cut ends of a nylon rope or cord with a match until the plastic starts to melt to keep them from unraveling.

in the afternoon on October 18 in Saint Bavo church, Mishawaka. Those who attended a birthday celebration Saturday in honor of Miss Emily Robie, four, 625 North Huntington street, Syracuse, were Sgt. and Mrs. Roger Stack of Syracuse and Chicago, Emily’s grandparents; Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Robie of Syracuse, Emily’s parents; Mr. and Mrs. Larry Smith of Goshen; William Strieby of Syracuse and Chicago arid Mrs. Dennis E. Ringler and Heather of Syracuse. 20 YEARS AGO, DEC. 8,1965 Mr. and Mrs. Steven Haab and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Haab, all of r 1 Syracuse, spent the week end in Quincy, 111., with Mr. and Mrs. Paul Haab and Greg. Mrs. Harold Gray of Syracuse Lake and Mrs. Karl McGarvey of Lake Wawasee were recent guests at a pre-Christmas luncheon and bridge party at the

“I didn’t have time to put all my clothes on.” she answered. “I was too scared. ’ ’ Pearl went on to inform me that while lying in bed trying to get to sleep (she slept in the kitchen to save fuel) she heard a big crash in the dining room. She didn’t open the dining room door to see what it was, so anxious was she to get out of that house. I told her not to fret, that she could spend the night at my place. In case she was worrying about what the neighbors might say, I suggested we rise early in the morning (about dawn so nobody would see us) and run across to her house to find out what was up. Frankly, I was too “chicken” to go that night because, down through the years, it had been rumored that Pearl’s house was haunted. In fact, at one time word was going around that some brave gentleman of the town had slept at Pearl’s place while she was away. During the night he had heard the formidable sound of chains clanking on the stairs. Nevertheless, I got Pearl settled and gave her a pair of my heavy wool socks to put on to protect her feet. Then we watched TV for a while and I made coffee and put some cheese and crackers on the table for a snack. About midnight we decided to turn in. I gave Pearl my bed in the room down the hall, while I bunked on the davenport in the living room. As we said our good nights, Pearl, giving me a woebegone look, lamented, “Don, after what’s happened tonight I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to stay in that house again. What am I going to do?” “Don’t worry,” I answered, giving her an affectionate pat on the arm. “Things will work out.” At daybreak Pearl and I stole quietly over to her house. Stealthily we crept through the back door into the kitchen. Just before I got ready to open the door to the dining room, Pearl handed me a big, heavy stove poker, whispering cautiously, “Here. You can protect yourself with this.” When I opened the dining room door I found out just how much protection I really needed. The instant I stepped through the door I heard a loud, plaintive “Meow, Meow.” Glancing toward Pearl’s china closet I discovered her big Angora cat crouching in the top of it, anxious to be let out. On the floor, next to the china closet, was a vase, all smashed to bits. The cat had knocked it off the night before, thus causing the racket that had thrown Pearl into such a state of distraction. Well, of course, Pearl was truly relieved to find that there had

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Elcona Country club. Mrs. Emma Mabie, who has been with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Eldred Mabie, is spending a few days in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Eloise Method, Syracuse. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Shannon and daughter, Betty of north of Syracuse, returned home Saturday from a week’s deer hunting trip and visiting with friends at Williamsport, Pa. Betty killed a deer while there. Mrs. S. F. Betes and Mrs. Ada Zeltinger of r 4 Syracuse called in the home of their sister and cousin, Mrs. Estella Swartz, Syracuse, on Tuesday afternoon. Miss Susan Bachman of Auburn and Miss Jane Bachman of Chicago spent the holiday weekend at Syracuse in the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hilary Bachman. 30 YEARS AGO, DEC. 8,1955 Mrs. Ida Van Ananda visited in Garrett last week end with her

been no real interlopers parading about her house after all (no twolegged kind, that is). Afterward, she settled down with the assured contented feeling that everything was once again back to normal and would remain that way for some time to come. Several months after the cat calamity I dropped in one morning to see what I could do for ‘Aunt” Pearl and found her lying stationary on the bed, her face wan and pinched looking. “Oh Don,” she exclaimed weakly, “I’m so sick. I never put through such a night in my life.” Then, nodding toward a white box on the table, she added, “I ate the whole box and now I’m paying for it.” It was an empty candy box. Pearl had devoured a whole half pound of chocolates, a feat that certainly didn’t do her heart any good. Without Pearl’s knowledge I got on the phone and called her niece and, before long, Norma and Pat came and took Pearl home with them. There she remained until they could no longer take care of her. Then she was moved to Merry Manor where she resided for the few remaining months of her life. How well I remember the last time I visited with “Aunt” Pearl. After we talked a little I informed Pearl that I had a story to tell her. Well, she was truly ill and looked it. Nevertheless, upon realizing that a good, spicy story was in the offing, Pearl’s rheumy, lackluster eyes suddenly lit up with a bright, beaming glare of joy and anticipation. Our conversation was suddenly put to a halt and the story temporarily disbanded when the nurse came in to give Pearl her shot. After the nurse departed we indulged in several more minutes of small talk, until I realized ‘Aunt” Pearl was growing very tired. I informed her that I had best be going so she could get her rest. “Don, I’m so grateful you came,” she said weakly. “I’m always glad to see you for you are a real friend.” “I’m glad to see you, too,” I told her, taking her hand. “Now you get well soon so you can come home and cook me another Os your wonderful chicken dinners.” “That would be nice,” Pearl smiled wanly. “Take care of yourself,” I added, backing slowly away from the bed. “Say, young man!” Pearl blurted, her voice suddenly alive. “Before you leave I’d like to know just one more thing.” “Yes, Pearl, what is it?” With a twinkle in her eye, “Aunt” Pearl whispered sagaciously, “What about that story you had in mind?”

niece and family, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Erickson. On Wednesday, Mrs. Ida Van Ananda spent the day in Fort Wayne with her niece, Mrs. Helen Hastteridorf. Judy Leatherman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herschel Leatherman of Wawasee, was presented in a concert 2 December on the Young Artists Program, at Carnegie Hall in New York. Five people from Syracuse High School are going to New Orleans to the National Junior Vegetable Growers Convention 11-15 December. Mr. Stotts, Paul Beezley, Billy Dorsey, Paul Mey and Ronald Roberts are leaving Friday night 9 December right after the bailgame. They will arrive back late Saturday 17 December.

Ip* I ■ ■ St KaBRo. k< V 4 - ’Bi I 1 BRI >■ 1 SZJir- « ’ sßlr RB ' S'Santa’s bringing you our warmest wishes for a very Happy Holiday, filled with love and good cheer. We have enjoyed serving you and look forward to seeing you next year. . , CHRISTNER OIL CO. ’Sf" NAPPANEE JACK'S SUNOCO E.C. BAILEY I SERVICE BULK PLANT AGEMT I SYRACUSE MILFORD — SYRACUSE — CROMWELL gJ | WATERSON GROCERY HURSEY GARAGE iLite SYRACUSE CROMWELL (Fish Hatchery)

Hubert Anglemeyer and Paul Lantz, of Syracuse Rubber Products, Co., were guests at last Monday’s regular Rotary Club dinner meeting at the Pickwick Lounge. Mr. and Mrs. Alva Ketering were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Warner last Thursday evening. Drivers’ license examinations will be conducted at the Syracuse Auto License Branch every Thursday afternoon between 1:30 and 4:30, it was announced by W. W. Pauli, local branch manager. 50 YEARS AGO, DEC. 12,1935 The first attempt at holding a meeting at night of the Chamber of Commerce of Syracuse and Community proved to be a success, Tuesday evening, when 26

attended the meeting at the Wawasee Restaurant. The recommendation of the reorganization committee was given by Ralph Thornburg. The committee suggested the name of the organization be changed from “The Syracuse Chamber of Commerce” to “The Syracuse Community Chamber of Commerce,” and that dues of membership be made 11 per year. W. T. Colwell, A. L. Miller and Dr. O. C. Stoelting planned to accompany H. W. Montgomery to Chicago today, where he is to officiate at the installation of officers at the Paul Revere Masonic lodge. Wallace Baugher from Detroit, Miss Helen Jeffries, S.O. Jeffries, and Mr. and Mrs. Garfield Vorhis of Elkhart were Sunday dinner

Wed., December 11,1985 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Kern. Those who helped celebrate Mrs. A. W. Geyer’s birthday Sunday evening were: The Messrs and Mesdames Bushong and three sons, Darr and two children, Dietrich and two children, Snyder and Darr. Ice cream and cake were served. Mr. and Mrs. Orley Plank, and Mr. and Mrs. Everett Darr of Goshen were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Darr, Sunday. In the evening Mrs. Harold Geiger and family and Miss Mary Geiger called. Mr. and Mrs. James Brickel spent Thanksgiving with Mr. and Mrs. E. Sweet and Mr. and Mrs. John Jones of Fort Wayne. Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Whitt of Middletown, 0., and Mr. and Mrs.

Gerald Geiger of Brimfield spent Friday night with them. Among those from Syracuse who went to South Bend, Monday, to see President Roosevelt, who arrived there to receive a degree from Notre Dame were: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hoopingarner, Mrs. L. A. Seider, Misses Gertrude Hoch, Helen Jeffries, Phyllis Mock. Miss Lucy Kern and Jesse Oberlin of Butler, Ind., cousins of Warren T. Colwell, called on Mr. and Mrs. Colwell, Sunday afternoon. Dr. and Mrs. Garnett Latham and family plan to go to Chicago, Sunday, to visit Otto Hedrich. They will return Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Theron Clemens and daughter from Goshen spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Gibson.

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