The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 2, Milford, Kosciusko County, 8 January 1986 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., January 8,1986

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Editorials

An investment in the future Each week a number of letters cross an editor’s desk, this week one from A. Wayne Roberts, deputy under secretary for Intergovernmental and Interagency affairs, caught this editor’s attention. The information was on the Presidential Academic Fitness Award, something that the Wawasee School Corporation has been participating in, but this editor, like others hadn’t taken the time previously to find out just exactly what the program is all about. .It’s great! We would like to see more boys and girls participate. Along with the letter, this newspaper received a flyer and several slicks, including a message from President Reagan which includes the following paragraph: “America’s future depends on the skills and attributes we teach our children today. We are seeking to encourage those students to reach new levels of academic excellence in the classroom by recognizing their success and dedication to learning. Through the Academic Fitness Awards, we are helping to fulfill our national commitment to an American society based on a solid educational foundation.” The program isn’t limited to one grade levfel. It is for high school students, junior high school students and elementary school students. What does the student have to do to qualify? Three things on the high school level and two things at the junior high and elementary school level. In high school a student needs to attain a B+ average or equivalent, accumulated over grades nine, 10, 11 and the first half of grade 12. He or she must receive a score in the 11th or 12th grade, placing him or her at or above the 80th percentile on any nationally recognized standardized college admissions examination, such as SAT or ACT. And, completed by graduation at least 12 high school or higher level course units in the “New Basics.” The National Commission on Excellence in Education recommends that the “N(fw Basics” include: English, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign languages and computer science. The requirements on the junior high and elementary school level are about the same. These students must attain a B+ average or equivalent in junior high and place at or above the 80th percentile on any nationally recognized standardized achievement test battery. Also in the packet received is a statement from William J. Bennett, Secretary of Education, which includes the following: “Our children are our investment in the future. As parents, educators and members of the community, we have an obligation to instill in our young people the self-determination necessary to ensure their future success. Further, may we continue to pass on to our children those American values on which our great nation was founded.” All we can add to that is Amen! 3 Business: 1986 The outlook for business in 1986, so clouded until recent months, is better than many had expected. The strong stock market of recent weeks suggests that investors are bullish about profits this year. There are widespread predictions Os a rise in the Dow Jones average in 1986 to new records. Is recent optimism justified? A poll of stock brokers indicated it was. They cited several factors contributing tea bullish outlook: lower interest rates, low inflation, the liklihood of lower oil prices, the rise in overseas markets, the declining value of the dollar and the improved outlook for detente. OurSS | - What Americans should keep in mind — and often don’t — is that social security is hot intended to be a complete retirement program. In its inception in the 1930’5, it was made very clear that it was not a pension plan. It was, and always has been, an old-age payment to help ward off the wolf at the door. Those reaching the age of 65 are expected to have something, after a lifetime of work, set aside for old age. \ If that is kept in mind, some of the resentment against the idea of limiting annual increases, simply because the federal government doesn’t have the money, will be dissipated. What others say — 1 Shaping up the brass Despite stubborn opposition from the Reagan administration, the House has taken the first meaningful step in decades toward curbing the confusion, mismanagement and interservice rivalries that have characterized the American military’s high command. By an overwhelming vote of 383 to 27, the House has sent the Senate a bill that would put the Joint Chiefs of Staff fully under the authority of its chairman, who would serve as principal uniformed military adviser to the president. Under the present system, the Joint Chiefs of Staff serve as a loose, ineffective, largely functionless body whose major contribution to American defense is producing endless appears rendered hopelessly bland by the consensus process. JCS members devote their effort to furthering their own individual services — often at cross purposes with their colleagues, not to speak of national security. Six former defense secretaries and respected officers like former JCS Chairman Gen. David Jones and Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger support JCS reform, but a number of others, including Army Chief of Staff Gen. John A. Wickham, have opposed the reform movement. Under the system, the military has been run not so much by the president, the secretary of defense or the JCS chairman as by the four chiefs and their civilian service secretaries. As a consequence, waste, duplication, inefficiency, empire building and command paralysis have permeated the system. In coming out strongly for reform of the JCS system, Senate Armed SErvices Committee Chairman Barry Goldwater (R., Ariz.) and his Democratic counterpart, Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, cited near or total disasters running from Pearl Harbor through Korea and Vietnam to Lebanon and Grenada that resulted from the American military’s lack of unity in command. They recalled the words of President Eisenhower, who in 1958 warned: “Separate ground, sea and air warfare is gone forever. If ever again we should be involved in war, we will fight it in all elements, with all services, as one single concentrated effort. Peacetime preparatory and organizational activity must conform to this fact. Strategic and tactical planning must be completely unified, combat forces organized into unified commands, each equipped with the most efficient weapons systems that science can develop, singly led and prepared to fight as one, regardless of service.” The time has come to stop paying the price for ignoring this victorious commander’s wisdom. 1 • i . -CHICAGO TRIBUNE

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Presidential Academic Fitness Award

Letters to the editor

Enjoyed item on W. E. Long

Dear Editor I read with great enjoyment your profile of W. E. Long in the January 1 issue of the paper. Though I never personally met the man, his beautiful Chinese Gardens were a source of great enjoyment for me as a youngster. My little friends and I would make a daily trek from our nearby homes, state bread in hands, to feed the “tame” fish and to watch Mr. Long’s beautiful swans gliding gracefully around the island and its small oriental house. We would shyly wave to the gardener who took great pains to maintain the grounds and buildings to perfection. To this day, I conjure up a childhood picture of the Chinese Gardens when I have trouble falling asleep. It’s more effective than counting sheep for me! For the record, I would like toj clarify that Mr. Long, though a very well regarded and close neighbor to Pickwick Park, did

Conditions right for carnival

Dear Editor: The cold winds doth blow — and we sure do have snow! And that means the conditions are right for the 1986 SyracuseWawasee Winter Carnival! Scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25, and Sunday, Jan. 26, this funfilled family-oriented event is put on for the entire community. There is something for everyone: food, ice skating, sledding, parade of decorated snowmobiles (snotilia), kiddy pedal pulls/kitty kat snowmobile State to have new historical society logo In today’s rapidly-changing world, organizations tend to abandon their histories for Slick and futuristic images. However, when the staff of the Indiana Historical Society decided to adopt a new logo and revise their seal they took a dramatically different approach. They shunned the current trend toward using images representative of the future, and drew the inspiration for their “new” logo and seal from their own rich history. The origins of the society’s new logo begin 155 years ago at the society’s first meeting. At that founding meeting in December 1830, Henry P. Thornton served as secretary. As the meeting began, Thornton wrote “Indiana Historical Society” across the top of a clean page. It is an exact replica of this script that has been adopted as the logo for the society. The history of the society was also the inspiration for the organization’s new.seal. At a society meeting in 1887 a resolution was passed that the seal of the society should be an impression of an open book within a circle. Although the seal was adopted, a drawing of it has never been found and was probably never used until this time. Peter T. Harstad, executive director of the Indiana Historical Society feels that the seal of the book accurately symbolizes the society’s three central programs —library, publications and outreach. The Indiana Historical Society is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1890 for the purpose of collecting, preserving and promoting Indiana’s history.

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not, in fact, build his home within the confines of the Park boundary. Neither was he responsible for giving Pickwick Park its name: the park having been named many years earlier at die time of purchase of the land from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. I would like to surmise Mr. Long’s use of the Pickwick name in so many of his enterprises was a result of admiration for Pickwick Park’s beauty and for his fine neighbors, but, I Suppose, we can never positively know. Thank you again for publishing a very informative article about this prominent man who played an influential role in the history of the Syracuse area. Sincerely, Sylvia Duncan P.S. I am curious if any of your r-ffeaders know the ultimate fate of J the little oriental house that was dismantled sometime in the 19705. Is it still in existence somewhere?

races, poker runs, cross-country skiing, snowmobile drags, bonfire, fireworks, a carnival dance, snowmobile enduro race, and a three-wheeler all terrain vehicle race. All children’s events at the park are free and the kids can win ribbons, trophies or plaques. Many of the local clubs and organizations participate by sponsoring an event — coordinating, financing and running it. Still, there are some necessities provided — such as a tent to warm yourself in, and portapots — which much be paid for, as well as some fun items like the fireworks. To let people know about the Winter Carnival, flyers are printed and distributed, news releases mailed and TV ads run. Each year the Carnival Committee solicits donations from local business and industry and they have come through for us' generously, although, in some cases, there has been a deficit. We need your support. To keep the Carnival free for children’s participation and free for spectator participation, and in order to add entertaining events, individual donations are earnestly solicited. If you and your family enjoy the festivities, won’t you send a check to the SyracuseWawasee Winter Carnival, c/o State Bank of Syracuse, P.O. Box 127 Syracuse, Indiana, 46567? The donation is tax-deductible — but more than that, it is an assurance that the fun will continue year after year. Thank you for your consideration. See you at Syracuse’s Lakeside Park on January 25th and 26th. Sincerely, Jeanne Gardiner for the Syracuse-Wawasee Winter Carnival

TMe 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: Jls per year In Kosciusko County; Ml outside county. POSTMASTERS: Send change of address forms to The Mall-Journal. P.O. Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

HERE WE go again! It’s a tough news week, following the New Year’s holidays as it does. Many of our friends who we can count on to contribute to this little effort, are either in Florida or other points away from home, and we’re without so many of our ’’sources.” We thought we’d follow the pattern of many another correspondent or columnist, and pan our friends with improbable New Year’s resolutions. Wow,we thought, could we do a number on this one! And so we put paper in typewriter, and let our fingers do the talking. It was not hard to do. We lambasted some, nudged others, probed here and there, and made the most possible use of that old standby — innuendo. No dame signed; you know, that sort of thing. And when the pithy column was completed, we chose to let it lay, as we do on occasion, to come back and hone down the rough edges. We did this, and to our surprise on second reading, we felt sure we would alienate 30 or 40 of our good friends and working associates. We couldn’t do this. It’s hard enough to keep friends in a small community, without making a deliberate attempt to alienate them. As an old editor said once, which we remembered, ‘We have to live here. ’’ And so what did we do? We gathered the pages up and tore them to shreads with our bare hands. The pieces came to rest in the deep recesses of our File 13. •,. . ' e And now we wish we hadn’t done that. We should have kept the searing pages in our file for the book we plan to write some day. The book our last will and testament states, will not hit the street until we’ve had the deep six treatment. THE SOMEWHAT novel idea of a newsletter for the Wawasee School Corporation has gained wide acceptance among the 200-odd teachers and assorted support staff. It’s name: T<fee WAWASCENE. With the school corporation being the second or third largest employer in the area, and the school itself being the center of the overall community social and sports life, it seems very fitting that a newsletter of this type would be beneficial and widely accepted. “Kinda brings us all together,” said one who saw the first copy — Volume I, Number 1. ■ • ’ . /■ ' ■ ■ ■ •.. . • It’s really a small piece, with pages measuring 7 by B’2 inches, normally with five or six pages. It’s run off on the school’s duplicating machine. The Number 3 issue, printed December 12th, 1985, under the subhead, “Knowledge Is Our Communities* Greatest Resource,” states the newsletter’s name was suggested by Sallie Ringler of the Syracuse Elementary School, for which she’ll receive a free lunch. The logo or flag was created by Jerry Johnson, WHS art teacher. It looks like second place went to both Henry Smith, a board member, and Ken Webster, superintendent. Henry’s suggestion was “Straight Arrow.” An aside stated, “Thank you for your ideas, most of which were printable.” Mentioned also was the fact that counselor Marilynne Curtis applied for and received a minigrant of SSOO from Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an educational honorary for women in education. Former English teacher Norma Rush is the group’s local president. The grant will be used for organizing and training the peer facilitators in the “We Care” program that Ms. Angle and Mrs. Rush have begun. Other good news The WAWASCENE notes is the fact that the corporation gavOl,Blo to the United Fund, as follows: Central office (7 employees), $285; Milford Schools (10 employees), $245; North Webster Schools (12 employees), $330; Syracuse Schools (29 employees), $565; and Wawasee High School (16 employees), $385. A previous high total was $1,055. MY, HOW time flies. Who would believe it’s been a year since Dr. Kenneth E. Webster came to Syracuse from Clearwater, Fla., where he was assistant superintendent of the 105-school Pinellas County School Corporation, to take over the duties of Don Arnold, who had been superintendent here for 17 years? The Pinellas system is the 23d largest school system in the country. Dr. Webster assumed his new duties here January 2,1985. A CATCHY sign we noticed in the yard of the Rasor’s Edge beauty salon on South Huntington Street: Start the new year, with a tan on your rear, alluding, of course, to their tanning service. SYRACUSE TOWNSMAN Bill Xanders recalls he had the perfect reason to stop smoking on January 9,1952. He said he could buy two packs of cigarettes for 25 cents, and when they went to a straight 15 cents per pack, I said, “The heck with it; I’ll just quit.” And he said he’s thankful he did. MORE On the local duck situation. Following our December 25th article in this coluiftn by Roy A. Grimes, District Biologist, Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area, LaPorte, that local people should not feed the ducks, that this only makes them dependent and insures their presence here, we had telephone calls from people who thought otherwise. One was Margaret Nichols of 426 Medusa St., who informed us that Herb and Jeneil Lang of 443 Medusa feed the ducks 50 to 60 pounds of grain each day. Mrs. Lang confirmed this, adding,

“During real cold weather we give them as much as 100 pounds of grain per day.” One duck they named “Frivolous Sal” is a “real pest,” and hatches her young ones, then leaves them, said Mrs. Lang. When the duck flew over their fence and into their yard, thereby encouraging others to 'do likewise. Herb put Frivolous Sal in his car and drove her to the TriCounty Game Preserve. Lang had to stop at the grocery store en route home, and when he arrived home there was Frivolous Sal. She beat Lang home. He later took the pesky duck to the Reservoir south of Wabash and let her out. Within two days, here she was again. Looks like the Langs are stuck with Frivolous Sal. Mrs. Lang did comment, however, that she received a SSO check from Mary Jane Deerdorf for feed. The welfare of the ducks has been a concern of Mary Jane’s. MRS. NICHOLS also told us she worked for Mr. Hartzer, who built the Pickwick Block, during the depression when the Pickwick first opened. She was reminded of this when she read our recent account of the opening of the Pickwick Theatre. GOOD TO see patrolman Bob Houser back on duty with the Syracuse Police Department. Bob returned to work Friday following a twelve and one-half month absence due to a severely broken left leg. Bob admits to stepping backward in his Pickwick Road home and falling, causing the fracture. Houser has been making the rounds with Chief of Police Bob Ziller, who took over the chief’s responsibilities on October 1, just past, coming here from East Chicago where he had been a police officer for the past 24 years. The new chief and his wife Betty, who have been residing on Palm Drive, plan to build a new home in the area in the spring. — °“ r : ■ ! '■ | AND SPEAKING of new homes, the LoganRogers Realty firm is busy decorating, painting and all that, at their new home located adjacent on the north to Thornburg’s Drugs, and should be moving within the next week or two, according to “Old Ern,” the firm’s principal domo. LARRY AND Penny Heckaman and children (Brooke, 7; Lisa, 5; Adam, 4; and Alexandra, 2), Penny’s mother, Barbara Scantlin of Walnut Creek, Calif., and brothers, Dennis of San Diego, Calif., and Chris of San Jose, Calif., ended a twoweek Florida vacation on New Year’s Eve, where they put up at the well established Don Cesar’s at St. Petersburg. Barbara decided to stay on for another week. Their Florida trip included a trip to Orlando and Disney World. SEVERAL FROM the Turkey Creek Township Assessor’s office plan to attend the legislative-mandated State Tax Board annual conference at the Hiatt-Regency Hotel in Indianapolis from January 19 to 22. They include assessor Charlene Knispel, First Deputy Mariam Ridings, and Third Deputy Susan Myrick. The meeting will include an updating of new laws as applies to property assessing. SuAnn Mitchell of North Webster is Tip- X pecanoe Township assessor, working with her husband, Township Trustee Dick Mitchell, and also plans to attend the same meeting. , This column has learned that Tipfiecanoe Township is large enough’ now to qualify for its own assessor, and more than likely SuAnn Mit- . chell will seek that office in a May township election. —o—- ■ ■ ' !' WARSAW REALTOR/investment counselor Howard Woodward has made it emphatically clear that he IS NOT a candidate for Kosciusko County sheriff on the Democratic ticket, in spite of persistent rumors to the contrary. He may have to issue a Sherman-like statement to quiet the rumor, he contends. Woodward has worked in the vineyards of the Kosciusko County Democratic party for a long time and would be a likely candidate. His business experience has won him a wide circle of friends in -4he county, from both political parties, but even this doesn’t seem sufficient to persuade him to seek the office. First Deputy Sheriff (Captain) Ron Robinson has announced he will be a candidate for the sheriff’s office on the Republican ticket. A NOTE from Pastor and Mrs. David M. Hudson from their new home at Riverside Apostolic Church, Dents Run Boulevard, Morgantown, West Virginia, P.O. Box 2069, ZIP 26505, indicates they miss the Lakeland area, but are getting settled in their new home. Pastor Hudson writes: “We have had a colossal time in all of the changes and adjustments on the business end and getting settled in our home and organized have been a major hurdle, j “My family and I have really missed the Lakeland area and Syracuse in particular, especially the quaintness of the lakes region. Getting used to the mountains once again has proved to be a nerve-shattering experience for my wife.” Pastor Hudson served the United Pentecostal Church on South Harrison Street, Syracuse, for a number of years. -oIN A final report to the Wawasee Kiwanis Club, member Ron Hibschman told his fellow Kiwanians that a total of 598 man hours were expended in the pre-Christmas relief drive for needy families in the Syracuse community. He also said over $16,000 was raised to purchase merchandise, boys* shoes, and to help * defray heat and water bills and to provide medical assistance.