The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 6, Milford, Kosciusko County, 5 February 1986 — Page 7

Community Corner

Louis Babinskl lives Veal life 1 adventure

By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer “There were guard towers about every 200 yards, with a machine gun planted at each one and spot lights to light up the area in case anyone tried to escape.” While this may sound like a vignette from an adventure movie, the cold truth is that Stephen Spielberg had no part in directing such a feature. Profile For Louis Babinski, what appears on the television screens throughout American’s living rooms was a harsh truth, his escapade wasn’t performed in front of dozens of television cameras with a director mapping out his moves, rather, he lived the life that many Americans never hear about and that Hollywood films can give no justice to, luckily he survived to tell his own story. Enemy Os State A native of the district of Orella, in the northern most part of Czechoslovakia, Babinski was wrongfully accused of being an “enemy of the state,” in 1949, something that was to change the course of his life forever. “I was in the woods gathering firewood for the winter for my family and my sister’s family when a group called the Bender Partisan approached me and asked for directions,” Babinski commented, recalling the day he directed a band of Ukranian rebels. “I had nothing against them so I told them how to get to town,” he added. However, word soon traveled around the province that Babinski was the one who directed the rebels, who were fighting for independence for Ukraine. In a matter of hours Babinski was given a summons to court, as the government accused him of complying with the rebels. “They were enemies of the communities’ regime and since 1 gave them directions the government jumped to the conclusion that I was in ‘cahoots’ with them,” Babinski explained, shaking his headi^amazement. However, Babinski nevenmade the trip to the court and after contacting a friend who lived in town the two began their trek to America “I knew if I would have gone to court I’d have been sent to a concentration camp, some kind of labor camp, or I would have been shot to death,” Babinski reasoned, adding, “I know several people who went to the court and never returned, it was a ‘kangaroo court’ — you had no defense and were considered guilty before you even arrived at the court.” Having lived in the United States in 1920 until the depression hit, Babinski had no doubts as to where hft was going to escape to. “I had lived in Cleveland with my father until the depression, then we went back to Europe because my father refused to accept

Here's what's cooking

Here are some ideas for those Girl Scout cookies you have just ordered. MINTED BROWNIE PIE 14 Thin Mint cookies 3 egg whites Dash salt % cup sugar V 2 tsp. vanilla Vz cup chopped nutmeats 1 cup whipped cream Curls of shaved chocolate Chill cookies in refrigerator, then roll between waxed paper to make crumbs. Beat egg whites and salt together until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar beating constantly until stiff. Fold in cookie crumbs, vanilla and nutmeats. Spread in buttered 9-inch pie plate and chill several hours. Spoon into dessert dishes. Serve with whipped cream garnished with shaved chocolate curls. Makes 6 servings. SNAPPY SNACK MIX 4 slices bacon 2 Vi cups Girl Scout Golden Yangles 2 cups thin pretzel sticks 1-3 oz. can French fried onion rings % cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans 2 T butter or margarine, melted 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce / Heat oven to 325 degrees. Cook bacon until crisp, reserving 2 T

bacon drippings. Drain bacon on absorbent paper; set aside. Combine bacon drippings, crackers, pretzel sticks, onion rings, nuts, butter and Worcestershire sauce; mix well. Bake in 15xl0-inch jelly roll pan for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Crumble reserved bacon. Add to cracker mixture; mix well. Makes about 6 cups. REFRIGERATOR DESSERT 2-3 oz. pkg. raspberry or strawberry flavored gelatin V 4 cup sugar 1 egg, well beaten l-8y 4 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained 1 cup chopped nutmeats 56 Scot-Teas cookies Prepare gelatin according to pkg. directions; refrigerate until partially set. Beat butter and sugar thoroughly; add egg, pineapple and nutmeats. Place a layer of cookies over bottom of 13x9-ineh pan. Cover the cookies with the creamed mixture then gently press another layer of cookies into the creamed mixture. Pour partially set gelatin on top. Place in refrigerator until firm. Cut into bars. Makes 14 servings. SAVANNAH TOFFEE TORTE Mi cup butter or margarine 1 cup confectioners sugar 3 eggs, separated lVioz. (lVisq.) unsweetened % chocolate, melted Dash salt

charity,” he said. After the depression was relieved Babinski attempted to return to the U.S. but wasn’t allowed. “We got stuck in Czechoslovakia and I didn’t get a chance to return until after World War II.” Even then the visits were limited and Babinski and his family were destined to live in a place where, according to Babinski, “there is no freedom.” “They’re still using ration cards over there (Czechoslovakia),” Babinski said in a sullen voice, repeating, “So many years after the war and still using ration cards — it’s ridiculous, there’s no way I could live under such a regime.” Plotted Escape Finding a friend, who he’d plotted an escape with several years earlier while in Bohemia, Babinski began his journey. “My friend had worked as a station master so the first part of our trip was pretty easy,” Babinski said, referring to the distance travelled between Orella and Prague. However, making it over a stretch between the West German border and Czechoslovakia proved the hard part. “We had timed the exact seconds it took for the lights to travel from one spot to another,” Babinski said of the spotlights atop the bordered towers. _ “We had to travel by night because the two milewide strech to Germany was completely mowed down so guards could catch those escaping”’ he said, adding, “During the day we would hide*) between burrows which were left behind from the plowing of fields.” After two days Babinski and his friend, Frank Tarada, reached the German border, contacting the United States Occupation Forces through the help of a lieutenant in the Continental Information Corp (CIC) — what Babinski refers to as “a cover name for espionage, in other words they were spies. ” After reaching Germany Babinski shedded his automatic pistol, which he had found in Czechoslovakia after the war. “They were all over the ground, you could’ve had a machine gun, bazooka, hand-gernade, just about anything,” he said, adding, “Land mines and gernades left over from the war still explode over there (Czechoslovakia) once in awhile. ’ ’ However, Babinski and Tarada hadn’t taken the pistols to “Shoot themselves out of a difficult situation,” as John Rambo may have down in one of his “overglorified” movies. Rather, the two veterans were prepared to use them on themselves had they been caught by the Czechoslovakia n government. “I would have killed myself before I’d have let them catch me,” Babinski stated, claiming that if he’d been caught the Czechs would have beaten and then shot him. After nine months of litigation to verify Babinski’s claims he could finally call the U.S. home. Living in Cleveland until meeting his present wife, La villa, Babinski worked for a foundry which produced motors for Ford Motor Company. Lavilla coerced Babinski to North Webster, where they were married and lived until another move one year ago to Milford.

14 Savannah cookies, crushed into crumbs (including filling) Vz cup chopped nutmeats Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat egg yolks, add to creamed mixture. Add melted chocolate qnd salt. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into creamed mixture. Sprinkle half of cookie crumbs and nutmeats in 8-inch square pan. Pour mixture over crumbs. Then sprinkle with remaining crumbs and nutmeats. Refrigerate at least 12 hours before serving. Makes 9 servings. APPLE-RAISIN BROWN BETTY 2y 2 cups Scot-Teas cookie pieces (y 4 inch) 4 cups finely chopped tart apples % cup seedless raisins % cup firmly packed brown sugar y 4 tsp. nutmeg Vi tsp. cinnamon y 4 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 T lemon juice Vi cup water Cream Sprinkle Vi of cookie pieces in greased lVi quart casserole. Mix next 5 ingredients. Spread half the mixture on top of cookies and repeat layers. Cover with remaining cookies. Drizzle with butter mixed with juice and water. Cover and bake in preheated moderate oven 375 degrees 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 minutes longer. Serve warm with cream. Makes 6 servings.

Currently living at the Lakeland Loving Care Center, images of Czechoslovakia remain vivid in Babinski’s mind — 36 years after his escape. “I could write a book on all the wrongs going on over there, it’s ridiculous,” he mused, adding, “The people in the U.S. don’t realize how lucky they really are, if those promoting communism had just a taste of what it was like they’d change their minds.” Taking a glance at a blank television screen, Babinski recounted his escape, exclaiming, “Thank God we made it!” — making one realize how unglamorous those often watched adventure series are and how glamorous one life can be. tmm. m l '%*- . .1' l LIFE OF FREEDOM — A resident of Lakeland Loving Care Center, Milford, Louis Babinski covets the freedom he earned 36 years ago after escaping from Czechoslovakia. Despite losing a leg to blood poisoning he still enjoys bowling and participating in the center’s various other activities, but above all, Babinski claims, “It’s good to be free, there’s no way I could have lived under the regime in Czechoslovakia, if 1 had to escape all over again I’d do it.” (Photo by Mark Huffman)

SPECIAL PROGRAM — Lakeland Kiwanis’, North Webster, program chairman Curt Jordan, left, joins Warren Garner, chairman of the educational department of Manchester College, after a presentation Monday, Feb. 3. Garner was the club’s guest speaker, informing it of a two-week residential academic program to be offered at the North Manchester school for gifted and talented children. After showing slides depicting the various activities within the program. Garner answered questions from the audience. Information about this program can be obtained by writing to Mindpower ‘B6, box 111, Manchester College, North Manchester, 46962. ONLY l£ll W ONLY sat. wnfen UT. ; FIB. 8 FIB. 8 j ;! • Walleye • Lobster Tails • Crab Legs M ! J • Deviled Crab • Shrimp • Sale 10 A.M.-5 P.kl. , I • Grouper • Red Snapper • Lake Perch * •Halibut • Cod ; J ! iSfuL ■ CLIP* SAVE ■ { ; .s2* i * ,MOfFWITHCOUPON | ! I | On $25 00 Or Mor, Soafood B j j \ 1 Com, Sm Us On Sat. |

Beverly Fell becomes bride of Mark A. West

Beverly Jean Fell, 1927 West 7th St. Yuma, Ariz., and Mark Allen West, 2nd LAAM B-BRTY MCAS Yuma, Ariz., exchanged vows at a 5:30 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 23, in the Lutes Wedding Chapel in Yuma. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson Fell of Yuma and the bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael West, r 1 box 77 Milford. The double-ring ceremony was preformed in the presence of 25 guests by Rev. Murphy. Greenery decorated the chapel. Music was provided by Audrey Alspach as she played “Truly” by Lionel Richie on the organ. The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore an ivory, knee-length gown of silk which Engagement announced The engagement of Julia Dobree Herries and Richard Scott is announced by their parents, Sir Michael and Lady\ Herries of Spottes, Castle Douglas, Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, and Mr. and Mrs. John R. Cripe, Lake Wawasee. The bride-elect is a 1984 graduate of Indiana University with a master’s degree in Eastern Asian culture and is employed in Hong Kong by the William Hunt Co. The future bridegroom is a 1979 graduate of Wawasee High School and a 1984 graduate of Indiana University with a master of science dgree in education. He is employed by Omni, Inc. of Carmel. The couple is planning a May 24 wedding to be held in Castle Douglas, Scotland. Browns home from Hawaii Dan and Nilah Brown, Milford, returned home last Friday from a two-week business and vacation trip to Hawaii. Brown is president of Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana, Inc. He was a company delegate from Phend and Brown Inc. to the week long National Asphalt Pavement Association convention in Honolulu. Brown stated that this is a good time of year for a convention since asphalt paving requires warmer weather.

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Wed., February 5,1986 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

draped in the back. Her bouquet had ivory and mauve longstemmed roses surrounded by baby’s breath and greenery. Mrs. Bruce Keating of Yuma was the matron of honor. She wore a knee-length mauve dress with a ruffle down the side. She carried a single long-stemmed ivory rose. The bridesmaids were Mrs. Larry Suciu, Mrs. John Dora, Mrs. Mike Clayton, and Mrs. Debbie Davis, all of Yuma. They wore dresses and carried flowers

MR. AND MRS. MARK ALLEN WEST

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to match the maid of honor’s. The couple’s mothers both wore ivory rose corsages. Raymond Tinnon of Yuma served as best man. After a wedding trip to Milford, the couple resides at 1927 West 7th St. Apt 3, Yuma, Ariz., 85364. The bride is a graduate of Yuma Union High School and is employed as a bank teller at First Interstate Bank. The bridegroom is a graduate of Wawasee High • School and is a lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps.

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