The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 18, Milford, Kosciusko County, 30 April 1986 — Page 7

Community Corner

Ralph Owens acts out his dreams

By MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer While several people joke about “running away to the circus” or pursuing other dreams, Ralph Owens has lived the life most only read about in children’s fictional novels. Subscribing to the belief that “a rolling stone gathers no moss,” the Milford resident has finally found a place to rest after traveling throughout the Midwest in pursuit of his dream.

Profile

While that dream consists of several vignettes, Owens speaks enthusiastically about his treks in the circus and life as an artist. Bom in Bedford, the 76-year-old began his travels at the age of 10. “It was about 3:30 in the morning and my mother discovered I wasn’t in bed so she woke up my father and he found me — working at a game at the county fair.” That carnival stint gave Owens an infection he couldn’t shake. “I became intrigued with the carnival atmosphere and the people surrounding it,” he stated. • . Owens was also intrigued by art, having made caricatures as a child, and painting signs during the depression era, he later loaded a Model T with art supplies and traveled to New York city to pursue another dream. Studying under such notables as Norman Rockwell, Owens became well-known for painting

Child abuse workshop held Here's. what's cooking

The Mental Health Association in Kosciusko County sponsored a workshop on child abuse prevention at the Holiday Inn, Warsaw, on Tuesday, April 22. David Robinson, president of the association, introduced Warsaw mayor Jeff Plank, who welcomed the participants and set the scene for the day. He said those present had “brought the problem out of the closet and put it on the main street. ’ ’ He also added, “I not only welcome you, but I thank you for this.” Peggy Eagan, director of the State Chapter of the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, chaired the workshop. She gave a short; history of the problem, stating it has been a problem for a long, long time. As a matter of fact, she

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PARTICIPATED IN WORKSHOP — A panel of experts answered questions and led discussions during the Tuesday, April 22, workshop on child abuse prevention, sponsored by ti»e Mental Health Association of Kosciusko County. Among those participating in the wwkshop were, from left, Sallie Maish, workshop coordinator; Peggy Eagen, director of the Indiana Chapter for the Prevention of Child Abuse; and Dr. David Robinson, president of the Mental Health Association in Kosciusko County. (Photo submitted by Col. Joe Gray)

HI believe the most important issue in the election is a comparison of the candidates on the basis of objective leadership ability. Leadership should be far more critical than the length of time a candidate has spent in a particular area. Many elected leaders have forgotten who they are accountable to — THE PEOPLE. It is unfortunate that many of these elected officials we once called public seri vants are now only "politicians" more interested in serving themselves. Were all concerned about government spending and why it must be controlled. Why not send a man to the legislature that has a background in helping control government spending as Kosciusko County Auditor. Many people have said it is time to make a change. In order to moke that change you will need to go to the pol Is on May 6th and J. D. GEIGER RMBH fob I mWiimSWmM state ■iWnaiMßßßn REPRESENTATIVE PUidFor By JO Gaijar For Slafo Bep. Cammiftee Ed Pratt Chairman. P.O. Boh 29, North Webster IN 46555

said, Roman fathers had life and death authority over their families and could ordain the death or punishment of their families without fear of reproach. She went on to say that were laws to protect animals in the last century, but none to protect children. This was rectified in Indiana as late as 1978, when the current law was enforced requiring the reporting of suspected cases of abuse. This law also protects the person making the report. Eagan said that less than two percent of child abuse reports made by children are false, and urged participants to ‘ ‘ believe the child. ’ ’ Eagan then introduced the members of the workshop panel, who each spoke in their areas of expertise. Those speaking to participants were: Kosciusko County

window displays and was even afforded the opportunity to sketch portraits of actors Vincent Price and Cesar Romero, as well as March King John Phillip Sousa. While some of his drawings remain in Australia and England, Owens always returned to the circus, working in minstrel shows, performing as a clown, and even portraying Buffalo Bill at one time. “I would dress like him and do a bull whip act,” he said, referring to the times he’d “snatch cigarettes from the mouth of an assistant. ” However, with the circus came trying times. “The travel was rough,” he said, adding with a laugh, “The first year the circus moved by truck (as opposed to train) a tiger lunged from a cage, causing me to fall backward and spill paint all over the place.” Frequently still seen with paint, Owens moved to Milford in 1966 and 20 years later is responsible for the town’s sesquicentennial banners and painted windows of a local lawyer’s office on Main Street. “I still enjoy doing signs,” he said, adding, “Milford is a nice place to live, the people are congenial and it’s a stable business community.” While much of that business has meant the local carnival life for him, Owens has slowed down, and while he still has kiddie rides concealed within trucks on his SR 15 property site, he rarely takes the machinery “within 100 miles of Milford,” and has plans of banishing the occupation altogether as insurance rates continue to rise. “You just can’t make money in it anymore,” he said bluntly. However, money never has been a goal for the adventurer. “The thing I enjoy the most is meeting people from different walks of life,” he admitted, recounting the time he met Jim Tarver, the eight feet, two inch “Texas Giant” that traveled with the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and the several other

sheriff Alan Rovenstine; Sydney Ellis; Warsaw Schools attendance supervisor; Peggy Shively, County Welfare Department; Judge Robert Burner, Kosciusko Superior Court; Dan Steiner, CEO, Bowen Center for Human Services; and Sandy Jackson, coordinator of Protective Services at Bowen Center. Following the luncheon break, a question and answer and brainstorming session was held.

BACK | f | HOME I 1 ® By HOMER BOX BUG WALLOW - The Rev. Bellows was called in to teach Sunday School last Sunday because the widow Diddlely was sick. Horsefly Witherspoon, in the class, got a big laugh. Rev. Bellows was telling how Adam and Eve named all the animals as they go on the ark. A big fat animal walked up and Adam said they’d call it a hippopotamus. “Why’d he choose that name? Horsefly asked. “Well, it looked more like a hippopotamus than anything else.” the Rev. Bellows answered. Rev. Bellows is against drink. The other day he walked into a bar and shouted: “All those who want to go to heaven come over and stand by me!” Everybody came over except one man. “Brother, don’t you want to go to heaven’” Bellows asked. “Yes, sir. Reverend,” he said, “but I thought you were getting up a group to go right now.” Rev. Bellows was once a boxer and maybe a little punchdrunk. He’s having memory trouble. “It’s much better,” he told his congregation, “ever since I took the Sam Carnegie course. ” The Reverend quit boxing when he no longer could make hospital expenses.

celebrities that he encountered. - A celebrity in his own right, Owens gazes at a wall with one of his paintings, reliving another dream he made reality.

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BUFFALO OWENS? — Milford resident Ralph Owens displays one of the many characters he portrayed during his colorful life. Using a bull whip, the adventurer used to dress as Buffalo Bill and snatch cigarettes from the mouth of,an assistant during a stint in the circus in the 19505. (Photo by Mark Huffman)

HOT POTATO AND SAUSAGE SALAD 5 medium size smooth-skinned potatoes (about 2 lbs.) Salted water 1 lb. Polish sausage, sliced about l 4 inch thick 2 T olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 medium green pepper, seeded and thinly sliced 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed 1 a cup each red wine vinegar and beef or chicken broth 1 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. seasoned pepper Chopped parsley, for garnish Cook potatoes (unpeefedl in boiling salted water to cover until tender (25 to 35 minutes). Drain; as soon as they are cool enough to handle, slip off skins; Cut potatoes into ‘2 inch thick, bitesize pieces.. Place in a deep warm bowl. Cook sausage slices, stirring frequently, in heated oil in a large frying pan until lightly browned; remove with a slotted spoon and add to potatoes. To fat remaining in pan add onion and green pepper, stirring over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Mix in garlic, vinegar, broth, salt and pepper. Cook until mixture boils, stirring to loosen sausage drippings. Boil 1 minute. Pour green pepper mixture over potatoes and mix lightly.

. Happy Mother's Day t Week! 1 , Flowers Say t It Best!’?# . Mothers are very special people Remember your mother (or the , lady in your life who "mothered" j you| with flowers this Mother's Day Week, May 5-11. Give her the AFS MOTHER'S DAY L SPECIAL. We can deliver this ; I charming basket of colorful spring flowers across the town or across ,the country ■ wherever your ; mother lives. Choose from thrc j convenient sizes. Order Your l PROM FLOWERS ' Smith’s 1 , Flower & , Gift Shop , 506 W. Section St. — 658-4686 ' MUFORD _ Located 2 Blocks South And . 2 Blocks West Os . 1 StopllghtOnls ! Hours: 9-5:30 Mon.-Fri. I 9-5 Sat

Sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot. Makes 4 to 6 servings. TWICE-BAKED POTATOES. COTTAGE STYLE 4 medium potatoes. 1 c. low-fat cottage cheese 1 2 c. skim milk or buttermilk IT. minced onion 1 2 tsp. salt Dash pepper Paprika Dried parsley flakes 1 Gently scrub potatoes under cold water with vegetable brush to clean. Pierce each potato in several places with tines of fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until tender. 2. Cut hot potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out potato, leaving skins intact for restuffing. With wire whisk, beat potato with remaining ingredients except paprika and parsley flakes until fluffy. 3. Pile mixture back into skins. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley flakes. Bake 10 minutes more or until just golden. Makes 8 servings, about 75 calories each. Add tumeric If you want to give yeast breads and sweet yeast cakes a golden color add a dash or two of tumeric.

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FOOD PREPARED BY STUDENTS — Sue Peterson and her daughter, Sonya, from Ligonier, look over the food prepared by the students during the Lakeland Community Daycare Center’s open house held April 23. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Daycare center holds open house

The Lakeland Community Daycare Center, an agency of United Way, held an open house April 23. It was the final event scheduled by the Center for the celebration of the “Month of the Young Child.” This event was held to give the community a chance to see the center in action. Approximately 100 guests, friends, and family of children of Reserve officer is hired by North Webster North OWebster Town Board called a special meeting Friday evening to approve the hiring of a reserve officer to work on a parttime basis when needed. Board President Myron Clark has announced that Shad Hunter was hired to work on an hourly basis with plans to employ him not more than two days per week during such times as filling in for either Marshal Matthew Wagoner or Deputy James Felkner on sick days and during the week of the Mermaid Festival. His pay will be based on the number of hours employed. Date packages Check your freezer for old foods before putting this year's packages in — also date all packages before putting them in your freezer. Polio victims BOSTON — New attacks of muscle weakness strike thousands of polio victims many decades after they recover from the disease, robbing them of about 1 percent of their strength each year, research shows.

PALM READER - ADVISOR On all problems - Love, Mar riage and Business. MRS. DORA All readings are private and confidential. - Over 25 Years In Business - CALL MORNINGS AND EVENINGS 347-4477 4

Wed., April 38, IMS—THE MAIL-JOURNAL

the center came to share in the day. These guests were welcomed by the director, Carol Hurd, and board president. Rev. David Hyndman, and other board members, Lou Longenbaugh, Cindy Baumgartner, Dana Arthur, Karen Huey, and Jan Baumgartner The guests were then assigned a child host or hostess to show them through the center and to especially show their own rooms, projects, teachers, and classmates. Finally the small host or hostess was allowed to take this guest to the food table to enjoy together special snacks such as pie crust cookies, Rice Krispie treats, haystack cookies, trail mix, celery boats, peanut

, ENCHANTED HILLS THEATRE GUILD SPRING DINNER J. & PREVIEW *B© SATURDAY. MAY 10. 1986 MAXWELTON GOLF t CLUB /v S COUNTY LIN E RD ■ SYRACUSE I ' z //Z>' 7 00 COCKTAILS -8 00 DINNER s ’ 2 00 / V Entertainment following - TICKETS AVAILABLE AT STATE BANK OF SYRACUSE RESERVATIONS PLEASE » jm Buildiira Or B \ Remodeling? gjF. Be sure that you hove adequate coverage. P' us liability insurance, to take care of / . * v | the unexpected Coll us today and you'll / i _rO.fl be Covered immediately I litthAdmit \ Insurance Agency W K 7 658 9468 *'•» MILFORD — M My '■ H Ih B Kenney is ¥)ur Hometown Team Carol Glaser Retd, executive director, and Joyce Cripe Gaff, director of nursing, are part of the Kenney team of professionals who bring a special caring to their jobs. For them, the Kenney community is not only where they work, but also w here they raise their families and share good times with neighbors just like you. The Kenney team cares about : you like only a hometown team can. > \ ‘ For quality apartments or the finest in nursing cart, visit Kenney Retirement Community , just off Lincolnw ay West. Ligonier. IN or call collect 219-894 'l3l. V Our family tradition. the L’ finest in continuing care -k-C* 1 ' X RETIREMENT COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE • RESIDENTIAL SERVICES • INDEPENDENT LIVING Special Note: Medicare Medicaid z Krnncv Healthcare Center is scheduled to be approved tor Medicare Mtdicaid pttticncswho are eligible, bnor about July L 19H(>. Applications ti>r eligible resideirtsare now being accepted. Call 219-«94-'*t3l today tor the details

butter-raisin cookies, spaceballs, and chocolate scotcheroos. Mrs. Hurd appreciates the staff and those who visited for this most successful open house. NOW SHOWING . .. Pretty In PnA STARTS FRIDAY ... Goldie Hawn In Wildcats (t) Show Timos: Fri. & Sos 7 49. Sun. 5-7 Mon.-Thurs. 7 P.M. Only

Villoge Video VHS Tope Rental In Our Lobby No Membership Fee

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