The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 10, Milford, Kosciusko County, 5 March 1986 — Page 7

Community Corner

Don Charlton: Veteran mail clerk, a 'jack-of-all-trades'

By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer While he no longer has the responsibility of trekking through rain, sleet, and snow, Don Charlton entails virtually every other duty allied with the Milford Post Office. “Donnie can do anything,” commented Nancy Kurzhal, Milford postmaster. A self-prescribed “Jack-of-all-trades,” Charlton’s main trade consists of handling the mail and dealing with the public, as a regular clerk; however, he admits, “I do a little bit of everything, I even serve as postmaster when Nancy's gone.” Profile Having seen nine postmasters serve above him since 1978 and numerous other employees before that, Charlton serves as the veteran of an office of eight (including Charlton, Kurzhal, two rural carriers, two substitute carriers and two part-time clerks). Having been a farmer, previous to trading his overalls for government attire, Charlton still does some farming at his home (west of Milford), although he admits it isn’t with the same fervor he and his father undertook when raising livestock grain in earlier years. “I still enjoy farming and driving around during the summer to ‘look things over’,” he said, describing's pare-time antics. Carrier Problems As can be expected, Charlton isn’t a devout fan of Old Man Winter, although he has had less problems than many of the fraternity which carries mail. “I always had to deliver in rural areas when I was a carrier so I used a car and while J slid around a few times I was never in an accident,” Charlton boasted, adding, “I’ve also seen the temperature drop 30 degrees in a matter of a few hours. ” While dogs have also been known to feast on mailmen, Charlton’s car also afforded him the opportunity to avoid being chosen as an appetizer. “I haven’t had too much of a problem with them (dogs), once in awhile one would get mad at me but

It happened ... in Syracuse

10 YEARS AGO, MARCH 3,1976 Gropp’s Famous Fish of Stroh has finally come to the Lakeland area. Jay and Nancy Hersh have introduced the delicacy to the area over the week end at the old Maxwelton dining room on the county line road, serving over 200 at the pre-opening party Saturday night. Robert Penick 11, 27, 607 South Harrison street, Syracuse, has been hired on the new radio dispatcher at the Syracuse police and fire station office. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Thornburg arrived home Tuesday from a February vacation at Clearwater, Florida. Seventeen members of the American Legion Auxiliary, unit 223, at Syracuse met in the Legion home on February 24 at which time Girls’ Staters were selected. Kim Beezley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Beezley, was selected as representative to Girls' State in June, and Rhonda Byrd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Byrd was named alternate. Janet Lemberg was guest of honor at a party celebrating her birthday on Sunday at the Lemberg home on Lake Wawasee. Persons present to help celebrate included the husband Harry, and five of the seven sons, Charles, Richard, Brad, Brian, and Dennis. The other sons, Harry 111 of Western Springs, 111., and Jim of Indianapolis, were unable to attend. Also present were Mrs. Charles Lemberg and children, Tim and Michelle, Cathy Marsh and children Travis and Nicky Anne Mangus and Tracey Conkling. 20 YEARS AGO, MARCH 2,1966 Mrs. Vera Greider, of r 4. Syracuse accompanied her son-in-law, Paul Tague, of Syracuse, to New Haven, Mich., Saturday where they visited Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Tague and family. Mr. and Mrs. Dean Hite of Ligonier were recent Sunday afternoon guests of Mrs. Tom Schlecht at Syracuse. Mr. and Mrs. Dean Pittman, Syracuse, have gone to Florida for a vacation. Mr. and Mrs. Byron Speicher of Austin, Minn., spent the week end with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Speicher of Ligonier and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Brown of Syracuse, and other relatives. Mrs. Agnes Stiffler, Syracuse, returned home Sunday night lacocca fired Interior Secretary Donald Hodel fired Lee lacocca from his unpaid job as head of the government’s advisory commission on the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. The Chrysler chairman called Model’s action “off the wall.”

from a vacation trip to Florida. Miss Suzanne L. Long, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Long, r 3 Syracuse, a sophomore at Indiana university, has been named as a pledge to Epsilon Delta colony of Alpha Xi Delta social sorority on the university campus. 30 YEARS AGO, MARCH 1,1956 More than 2,200 fans watched Syracuse’s first sectional basketball tourney, and everybody agreed that it was a good one. Ticket sales grossed $6,613 from a total of 15,552 paid admissions. Total expenses amounted to less than half this amount, with participating schools dividing a net profit of $3,727. Final action on the appointment of a town plan commission appeared to be on the agenda for the next regularly scheduled town board meting, to be held in the old school house next Tuesday night at 7:30.

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I’d just roll-up the window — shutting him out,” he laughed. In 1971 Charlton took a job where he needn’t worry about snarling jaws, filling the post of regular post office clerk. “I was still farming a lot then, continuing to do so until 1975,” Charlton said of the job that eventually forced him from the fields. Hazel Estep acquainted the cultivator with the post office, telling him about an opening for a substitute rural carrier in 1959, and three years after he started the job Hazel became Mrs. Charlton. “She worked at a soda fountain at a Main Street drugstore and always used to hit my arm when she’d clean the counter top,” Charlton said of the couple’s initial meetings, adding, “Now I kid her that she tried to ‘sweep me’ off my seat.”

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‘JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES’ — Don Charlton, regular clerk of the Milford Post Office, performs one of his many daily duties as he sorts mail for later delivery. The U.S. Navy veteran started working as a substitute rural carrier in 1959 and has been a fixture at the Main Street office ever since, being presented with a special achievement award in February for service “above and beyond the call of duty.” (Photo by Mark Huffman)

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Hogue have returned from a trip to New Mexico and Texas. While in Texas they visited their daughter, Mrs. Marion Williams at Posenda. Miss Donna Michael of Fort Wayne spent the weekend with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Herb Michael, R.R. 2 Syracuse. Shirley Bell, daughter of the Robert Bells and Phyllis George, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert George, were home from Manchester College last weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Hilbart, Mr. and Mrs. Foo Wong and Corky, and Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Sieffert, all of Syracuse and Lake Wawasee, were recent visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Galloway at Lake Johns Fla. 50 YEARS AGO, MARCH 5,1936 Mrs. Nelson A. Miles, Syracuse, has just been awarded a Certificate of Recipe Endorsement by Better Homes & Garden for her recipe, “Barbecued

DOWN: 1 Israelite lawgiver 2 Was theatrical 3 African hunting expedition 4 Actor Carney 5 Vehicle 6 Exclamation 7 Coarse file 8 ....code 9 Sourish 11 Florida Indians 15 Walk heavily 19 Girl’s name 20 501: Roman 22 Clock dial number 23 Western state 24 Slurred 27 Evil looks 28 Girl’s name 29 Angry 30 Big blow 34 Freeze 35 Obtain 36 Dancy

(Answers on page 13)

Changes Occur Hazel now counts money, working as a teller at the Lake City Bank, Milford, while Charlton counts letters and stamps. While those stamps were available for four cents when he first started, Charlton claims that economics have caused other changes also. “We used to dispatch all our local mail from this office, now it all goes to South Bend to be dispatched,” he stated. The size of the town’s routes have also increased, according to Charlton, who estimated that route one is 75 per cent larger than when he originally started. “Route two is spread out more, although there aren’t a whole lot of additional people in that area,” he added. Despite the increased size of the town, Charlton contends that he can still associate many names and faces with their addresses. “By working at the window and delivering mail I’ve had the opportunity to become more acquainted with people,” he said, noting the advantage of working with names and addresses for 26 years. However, the post office has it’s disadvantages too. “One real pet peeve of mine is when people put improper addresses on the mail, other than that most of the problems will usually work themselves out if you give them a chance.” Presented Award A lifetime resident of Milford, Charlton has viewed larger post offices but has no desire to work in such places. “It’s harder to work in a smaller office, since you have to know ‘everything’, but I’ve never wanted to move to another office,” he remarked. That attitude has attended Charlton throughout his years at the post office— something that earned him a special achievement award in February. “I was surprised to get it, they kept it a good secret,” he said, referring to the honor for “service above and beyond the call of duty for considerable knowledge of post office procedures.” While the award may be a perfect way to conclude an illustrious career, Charlton plans to continue serving Milford. “I’ll work a few more years until I’m ‘of age’ to retire,” he quipped, perhaps hoping to travel to some of those far-away places he’s seen on return addresses over the years. In the meantime, he’ll continue practicing a philosophy he’s held since viewing an office sign years ago. “It said ‘Assume Nothing,’ which probably fits the post office business as well as anything else,” he'concluded.

Limas.” This certificate, which brings national recognition to Mrs. Miles, is given by Better Homes & Gardens only to distinguished recipes which pass its testing. Kitchen’s test for dependability, excellence of taste, and family usefullness. The Syracuse Cemetery Association appeared before the town board Tuesday night, and requested the Board to take over. MAD to hold monthly meeting The Milford Area Development Council will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, March 8, at 9 a.m. in the community building. All members or persons with an interest in attending are welcome.

LOUISA'S LETTER

Dear J.G. (Tenn): I can’t judge everything you write. But it sounds like you should get a good lawyer, and perhaps talk to your minister too, and seek a fair solution or settlement. Either or both might help. Good luck. * Louisa Dear Louisa, I am 10 years old and I have 4 sisters. Two of my sisters are married and then there are three more of us, 9,10 and 11. I am in the middle and I am not being noticed. My older sister gets to go to lots of places I can’t go to and my little sister gets lots of attention. Why do people act this way and leave me out? What can I do

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and assume responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the burial ground. Syracuse is to have better and faster mail service, so Bert Whitehead, local postmaster announced today. Beginning Sunday, mail will be exchanged with Train No 10, due at Syracuse at 12:36 p.m. Mail will be dispatched to boxes after its arrival each Sunday. Mrs. Roy Niles and Mr. and Mrs. Bert Searfoss visited Tuesday with Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Kelly, South Bend. Largest litter The largest litter ever thrown was 23 by a foxhound called Lena on February 11,1945. Sheds skin A human being sheds skin continually, replacing it with an entire new outer layer about once every 28 days.

about this? Lonely — Mo. Answer: The second child is usually smarter than the first child because he tries to do everything that the older one does. Later on you will find that you get to go places sooner than your younger sister does. The best way to get attention is to behave nicely, practice good manners and try to help people. You will find that if you do those things, it will not matter whether you are the older child or the baby. People will probably find you the most charming one of all three. Good Luck. Louisa

It happened . . . in North Webster

10 YEARS AGO, MARCH 3,1976 Stephanie Jernigan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jernigan, r 1 Leesburg, has been selected as this years Girls’ State Representative by the North Webster American Legion Auxiliary, Carlyl Lynn Coy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Leedy, North Webster, has been selected as alternate. Mrs. Norma Roose will be hostess for the March eighth meeting of Miriam Circle of North Webster United Methodist church. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Rix, r 1 Leesburg, have just returned home from a vacation trip to California. They also visited with Mr. and Mrs. Roger Rix and family. Ladies of Lydia Circle of North Webster United Methodist church will meet at 7:30 p.m. March 9 with Zelma Kile and Florence LeCount as hostess. Mrs. Imogene Menzie, most excellent chief, presided over the February 23 meeting of North Webster Pythian Sisters. Efficient Homemakers Home Extension club members met recently at the home of Cindy Heckaman. Mrs. N. R. Niles assisted the hostess. Devotions were given by Evelyn Bowser. 20 YEARS AGO, MARCH 2,1966 Representatives of Mauer, Inc., were present at the Tuesday evening meeting of the Lakeland school board and opened bids for the construction of five classrooms and the updating of the heating system of the North Webster school. Mrs. Alice Wolfe and Mrs. Itha McKown of Columbia City and Mrs. Addie Fruchey of Larwill called on Mrs. Ermal Vanater Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. Fruchey had visited with Mrs. D. A. Stalter previously. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Krouse were guests of their son and his family, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Krouse, Sunday where Jacob Krouse was honored with a birthHighest point The highest point in the contiguous US, the 14,494-foot peak of Mount Whitney in California, can be seen from the lowest point in the nation, Death Valley, which is 282 feet below sea level in California. These extremes are 100 miles apart. Chapped lips March winds and spring will take their toll in chapped lips. Use a medicated chap stick or a lip gloss.

[- 1 LAKE CINEMAS Starts Friday J i I I Week oni\ t mis Match 13 F/X . r I Weeknights 7PM. Fn & Sat 7 00 4 9:05 ■Wimm Sun 3 00. 5 05 4 7 10 All Seats $2 00 Till 3 30 ■ Or Sola Out I The Long Shot Tim Conway And Harvey Korman PG ‘ 13 Fn 4 Sat 7 15 4 9 00 Sun. 3:15. 5:00 4 7:10 ' Al/ Seats $2 00 Till 3 45 1 Or Sold Out ■Down And Out In ■BEU Beverly Hills Ends 3 13 R Fn 4 sat ? 154915 ■I All Seats $2 00 Till 3:45 MU Or Sold Out ■ Highlander R L Fri 4 Sat 7 4 9:05 Sun 3 00. 5 05 4 7:10 jL-LWLjBI All Seats $2 00 Till 3:30 ' ' Or SIM o ul

To love, to share, to servo; If these an oar guiding lights, our lives will prove most rewarding.

Fred Walls Associate Minister

TRANSPORTATION provided for Sunday mornings. Call 655-9151 or 658-9241. CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF MILFORD

Fourth And Henry Streets

Wed., March 5,1986 —THE MAIL-JOURNAL

day dinner. Other members of his family were also present Mr. Krouse was 68 years old Monday. Glen Vanator, Arthur Baugher and Leo Ulrey engaged in a week end fishing trip to Michigan. They report having caught some but nothing spectacular. Bob Sanborn has enrolled at Ball State and will begin his studies when the third quarter period opens next week. He will reside at Whitcraft Hall. Miss Frannie Baugher is spending ten days at home between quarters at Ball State where she is attending school. She arrived home Wednesday. 50 YEARS AGO, MARCH 5,1936 The North Webster Commercial Club met Monday night, and discussed plans relative to a continuance of the organization’s program of progress and furthering the development and the lake country. Work is expected to start on this section of the improvement of Route 13, as soon as weather permits, residents have been informed. The contract has been

DEB BAILEY — Travel Consultant THE FAMILY ISLANDS More than two million visitors will travel to the Bahamas this year Three quarters of them will go straight to the popular resort areas of Nassau Paradise • Island, and Freeport where they will gamble, shop, see lavish shows and generally have’a fast-paced vacation. Few of them realize that just a quick plane trip away ties an abstract mosiac of islands. These islands offer some of the most astonishingly beautiful beaches in the world as well as first-class opportunities for fishing, diving, eating, and relaxing. The Out Islands are now called The Family Islands. This is to emphasize that they are a part of the family' of Bahama Islands. They include the Abacos, Andros, Bimini, Eleuthera Exuma and hundreds of smaller, undeveloped, often uninhabited isles. If lounging on one of these beaches sounds like the ideal vacation for you then come in to WARSAW TRAVEL SPECIALISTS (269-6771 or 1-800 342-5221) and we will help you with your plans. The only things you will have to do is pack and have a good time. For all of your travel arrangements, business or pleasure, we are located at 1301 N. Detroit Street, Monday thru Friday 9-5:30 ond Saturday 9 1. Most major credit cards are accepted. TRAVEL HINT: De you lon, for the pahn-treed island escape so often depicted in odrfor tropical resorts? Visit the Family Islands.

d/STH ANNUAL KOSCIUSKO ((J Vk Jr Bring the family — Preview New Innovations CHILD CARE FACILITY AVAILABLE ON SITE MARCH 21-22-23 Friday Saturday Sunday spm to 9pm 11am to 9pm Noon to spm NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY OFF ST. RD. 15N ON CO. RD. E 151 ST. WARSAW Z**’% I.W/ SPONSORED SV THE GREATER WARSAW CHAMBER Os COMMERCE

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awarded to the Day Construction Company of Marion, Indiana, and the contractor has already been in North Webster, looking for a house. He plans to move his family here during the period of construction. North Webster High School Alumni Association is planning to hold an alumni banquet in the High School Gymnasium, April 25. The affair is being arranged by a committee consisting of Miss Gladys Strombeck, Royal Kline and Lawrence Willard, Officers of the association are Edward Schlect, president; Mrs. Robert Garber, secretary; Helen Breaching, recording secretary and Pearl Schock, treasurer. A committee working on the plan to construct a municipal bathing beach on Webster Lake was authorized to take subscription to a fund for the purpose of purchasing necessary gravel to be used at the beach. The work is being partly financed through the Works Progress Administration and is in line with the forward program of the community and club members state.

; k u Dale Kuhns Minister I

658-9151

* s

7

Milford