The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 14, Milford, Kosciusko County, 2 April 1986 — Page 7

Community Corner

Christa Francis: New youth center director

By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer A self-described optimist, Christa Francis has inherited a job formerly surrounded by apathy, but like her favorite author Danielle Steel, an American writer of modern romantic fiction, she refuses to acknowledge the negatives. Francis overtook a position last week that has been filled with uncertainty and a shortage of community participation in years past. As director of the Lakeland Youth Center in Syracuse, she oversees the operation of the SR 13 facility — setting up programs, keeping financial records, and answering to a board of directors that includes four Milford, two North Webster, and two Syracuse couples. I Profile While many would shudder at the prospect of taking over a program with little tradition and stability, Francis looks forward to the challenge. “I welcome the responsibility,” she stated, glancing at her surroundings. Those surroundings include a facility that has housed many of the organization’s activities and one that Francis would like to see Used more. “I’d like to see the building used more during the week, we’re currently working on capital improvements, such as repairing the ceiling, retiling the kitchen floor and carpeting the office,” Francis said, adding, “Hopefully those things will get more people to take advantage of the facility.” The former youth director of the Goshen YWCA also hopes to get more people interested in the organization’s programs. “There’s no membership fees, although certain activities require a fee, and we have activities for everyone from pre-school age to senior citizens,” she commented. Additional programs are also working their way through the 26-year-old’s head, and with experience as a supervisor of the Health and Lifestyle Center in South Bend, as well as several other related jobs to complement her, there’s no doubt that those programs will work their way onto paper. Interested in Psychology A graduate of Alma (Mich.) College, with a bachelor of arts degree in recreation and leisure services, Francis has always held an interest in health and recreation. Having originally planned to enter the field of psychology, which she believes goes “hand in hand” with recreation, she soon found that she didn’t want to “go to school for ‘umpteen’ years” — thus she practiced her second career choice.

The National Garden Bureau has declared the sunflower as the easy-to-grow flower for 1986. Sunflowers, native to America, have become adapted to every state in the continental United States. It is believed that wild sunflowers once covered thousands of square miles of what is now the western United

LOUISA'S letter

Dear Louisa, I was talking to my next door neighbor a few days ago and I was surprised at the view he took about the drug problem of the young people of today. He agreed that it was a problem and that everything possible should be done to educate the young people about the danger and disaster of using drugs but he ended up by saying t hat young people are curious and will experiment with anything new and so he wasn’t adverse to them trying marijuana. I was appalled at his attitude. What do you think of it? W.J.—Miss. Answer: I I think your friend is mistaken? He probably has the idea that his son will try marijuana (or something stronger) for a lark, just once, and stop. Unfortunately that is no the usual pattern, it’s

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Sunflower: The flower for 1986

States, says B. Rosie Lerner, Purdue University extension horticulturist. Sunflower remnants have been found in North American archeological sites dating back to 3000 BC. American Indians found sunflowers useful for many purposes, including food, medicine and color. The seeds were

a lark at first and then it becomes

a lark at first and then it becomes a habit — then it later on leads to something else that is dangerous and degrading. But suppose we do admit there are youngsters who have enough will power not to go on to worse drugs. Having marijuana in one’s possession or being in a room of pot Smokers when it is raided in a crime and if your son is caught in such a situation he will be taken to the police station, fingerprinted and his name will have a black mark against it for life. Considering this, I think that every parent should disapprove „ of their child using any drug at all and, if the child experiments, he realize that he is doing so without the approval of his parent. Louisa Address: Louisa, Box 532, Orangeburg, S.C. 29115

“Recreation is good therapy it helps people feel good about themselves and I enjoy working with different age-groups — it’s better than being stuck in an office for eight hours a day,” she remarked, revealing her love of people. Hoping to see more positive things from the communities, Francis hopes to build a “friendly” competitive spirit between Milford, North Webster, and Syracuse, rather than a “I’m going to kill your team” outlook. ‘‘We need to have more camaraderie between the three towns, recreation is supposed to be a social outlet as well as competitive,” she confirmed. With a major goal of “helping other people become happy with who they are,” traits from her psychology ambition are still apparent, as she readily admits, “Eventually I’d like to use the background I have in recreation and work toward a counseling consultant job (with an emphasis on recreation), it’d be nice to work with families that *WjW •’■'"Hl i' .. V“ * ■ V: v ' ■V V wk. Im ETERNAL OPTIMIST? — Christa Francis, newly-appointed director of the Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse, explains some of the pre-school activities offered by the United Way organization to an interested parent. The Union Lake, Mich., native overtook the . Syracuse-North Webster-Milford organization last ' week, and is looking forward to forming a “camaraderie” between the three communities. (Photo by Mark Huffman)

roasted and ground into flour for baking breads and vegetables. Various tribes considered the plant a pain reliever, disinfectant Hr V JUNE WEDDING — A June 21 wedding is planned in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse, by Anna Marie Sparduto and Terry Allen Popenfoose, Syracuse. The bride-elect is the daughter of Evaline Sparduto, 206 N. Huntington St., Syracuse, and the late Joseph Sparduto. The bridegroom-elect is the son of Jerry and Judy Popenfoose, r 1 Syracuse. The bride-elect is a 1982 graduate of Wawasee High School and is employed at Syracuse Rubber. The bridegroom-elect is a 1981 graduate of Wawasee High School and is employed by Barth, Inc., Milford.

have common everyday problems. ” While Francis’ biggest “problem” lately has been that of finding a place to live, she hopes to have that settled within the next few weeks. “We’re (Christa and husband Tom) looking to rent, with the possibility of an option to buy, a house in Syracuse,’.’ she stated. Currently commuting from Goshen, Francis feels the youth center requires her to be nearby. “I feel I can put more into the organization by becoming a member of the community,” she remarked. While her husband of two years works as an accountant in Nappanee, he’s also prepared to become a Syracuse resident, according to Francis. “He is interested in coaching cross country,” she said, noting that the “other” graduate of Alma College has had experience with the sport in high school as well as college. “He also runs marathons,” she added. While that running has rubbed off onto Francis somewhat, she admits a preference for swimming. “I’d like to get in the area of coaching swimming,” she said. Participation Is Important The Union Lake, Mich., native’s love of swimming started as a junior in high school, where she managed the boys’ team and participated on the girls’ squad. “I’m always up to trying new activities,” she commented, noting that she’d try anything short of “jumping out of an airplane without a parachute.” That attitude has loaned itself to her philosophy of being an active, rather than passive, director, and if her initial plans are any indication, she should be the healthiest person in Syracuse by the end of the summer. “I’d like to start a running club for adults, while a summer day-camp is also a distinct possibility this year,” Francis said; however, her first priority is to stabilize the programs already in effect. “I’m going to try to get our aerobic instructor certified — it’s important to have a person that know’s what is good and what is bad for the body in order to prevent injuries,” she emphasized. The director also requests that anyone who has suggestions or is able to help with instructing or officiating to contact her office. “I have regular office hours of 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and would also be happy to meet evenings,” she stated. However, until the programs start rolling from the paper to the SR 13 facility, Francis spends many of her evenings listening to music, doing needlework, swimming, running with her husband, or undertaking her favorite hobby — reading Steel’s novels. “I love her work and am in the process of reading all of her books,” she confessed. That correlation between life and literature finds Francis borrowing an idea from Steel, who in one of her more popular novels, “Crossings,” states “Strong people cannot be defeated" — with that in mind, she ventures forward in her new job.

and even an antidote for snake bites. A yellow dye was extracted from the brightly-colored flower petals, while a purple dye was made by soaking purple seeds. These dyes were then used to decorate baskets and human skin, Lerner says. ,

Spanish explorers are credited with bringing the seeds of these sprightly flowers to Europe. The first published record of the sunflower appeared in 1568 by a Belgian herbalist. By the early 1600 s, the sunflower had become common to many of England's gardens. Lerner says that sunflowers today are classified for growing as ornamentals or for seed production, although for the home

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gardener many cultivars can perform both functions. Sunflowers are widely known for their large flower heads which bloom on to five to six feet tall plants. Although once confined mostly to large gardens or landscape oddities, today’s selection offers many dwarf and intermediate flower and plant sizes, making sunflowers suitable for any size garden. To merge NEW YORK - B.F. Goodrich Co. and Uniroyal Inc. agreed to merge their tire operations in a joint venture that would rival Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. as the nation’s second-largest tiremaker.

To serve in Suriname Rebecca S. Replogle, daughter of John and Nancy Replogle, Syracuse, was recently sworn in as an officer in the United States Foreign Service. Her first assignment is in Paramaribo, Suriname. Replogle, a graduate of Wawasee High School, received a bachelor’s degree from Milligan College. She was previously employed at Heritage Middle School as a language arts/social studies teacher for seven years. She will attend the Foreign Service Institute in Rosslyn, Va., before leaving for her assignment in Paramaribo. ANNOUNCES OPENING OF OFFICE— Announcement is made of the opening of the chiropractic office of Elaine K. Bigler, D.C. Dr. Bigler graduated with honors from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, lowa. She will be joining Dr. Lisa Shively in a new office located at 209 Denver St., Goshen. Dr. Bigler’s office hours are Monday 12-8, Tuesday-Friday 9-6, and Saturday 9-12. Dr. Bigler and Dr. Shively are planning a grand opening for next month. Odor eaters Some of the odor eaters that will keep your refrigerator sweet are charcoal, dried used coffee grounds, a piece of" vanilla bean or vanilla-soaked cotton, baking soda or a wad of crumpled newspaper. Photographs The earliest photograph was taken in the summer of 1826 by a French physician and scientist.

ere Looking MILFORD'S OLDEST LIVING NATIVE ... as port of Milford's Sesquieentenniol celebration! Just Send The Mail-Journal A Note Telling Us: • Who The Person Is? • How Long They Have Lived (Or Did Live) In Milford? , • Where They Live Now? / • Who Their Parents Were? / / • Did They Attend School Here? / . / • ...Etc. SEND TO: "MILFORD'S OLDEST LIVING NATIVE'' c/o The Mail-Journal P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542 DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MAY 2

Wed., April 2,1986 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

w. I MH* /Z ▼ > 40TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY — Mr. and Mrs. Perl A. Rhoads, Syracuse, will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday, April 6, with an open house from 2-4 p.m., in Calvary United Methodist Church, Syracuse. Rhoads and the former Bertha McClillan were married on April 7. 1946, in Cumberland, Md. He is retired from Dana Corporation, Syracuse and Mrs. Rhoads has retired from the cafeteria at Wawasee High School. Both are active in Calvary United Methodist Church and volunteer work. The open house is being hosted by the couple’s children and their families: Mrs. Ernest (Gwyn) Leitch, Elkhart: Mrs. Rick (Laura) Chupp, Indianapolis; Chuck Rhoads, Howe; and Kevin Rhoads, Syracuse. They have four grandchildren.

UAW retirees hold potluck

The retirees of United Auto Workers Union, Local 1405, held a potluck dinner last Wednesday at St. Martin de Porres Church in Syracuse. Five officers were among the nine retirees who were joined by three guests at the affair, at which Dixie Kehr was Janet Burk to wed Charles Slabaugh Janet L. Burk, daughter of Ruth Burk, Litchfield, Mich., and Charles E. Slabaugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. James McClintic, 621 S. Main, Syracuse, will be married Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m. in Congressional Church at Litchfield. The future bride is employed in Quincey, Mich. The prospective groom is a 1956 graduate of Syracuse High School and is employed at Murphy’s Mart in Quincey. They will reside at 7448 Lakeside Dr., Quincey, Mich., 49082.

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hostess. Clyde Johnston returned thanks before the meal and Marjorie Wiles, who is not telling her age, received a birthday gift. A get-well card was signed by all those present to be sent to Owen Avery, who is in the Veterans Hospital in Fort Wayne. Joe Baumgartner was welcomed back after being absent for quite a while due to illness. The next meeting is scheduled for April 23 at St. Martjn de Porres. Now Showing . . . Down ft Out In Beverly Hills (R) Starts Friday l ! Murphy's Romance (PG-13) With Sally Field And James Garner CMAW TiftftKC Fri ® Sat 7 & 9 Sun 5 & 7 jnun Mof> g Thurs 7Onty Village Video VHS Tape Rental In Our Lobby No Membership Fee

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