The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 31, Milford, Kosciusko County, 30 July 1986 — Page 2

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., July 30,1986

2

nr E^b*^* 1 " 11 — I B rah S __ **l I BB U ■ HB . fl| l| <T‘JIKkJ ■ I I •««. ijMggjSgjrt ■ -• L ; i NEW COMPANY IN SYRACUSE — Freedom Corp, officers Max Ganshorn, Gerald (Jake) Bitner, Charles Hardesty and Chuck Clevenger prepare to test drive the first Class C minimotorhome to roll off of their assembly line in Syracuse. Freedom Corp, manufactures Class A and C recreational vehicles for the experienced RVer.

New Syracuse company to make mini-motor homes

Freedom Corp., a new company headquartered at 400 W. Brooklyn St., Syracuse, announced recently that it will manufacture Class A and minimotorhomes. Founded in April, 1986, by four veteran industry people. Freedom Corp, produces the units for delivery on a nationwide basis. When asked how the company name was derived. Freedom Corp, president and CEO Chuck Clevenger replied. “People who want to go on vacation in an RV w'ant and enjoy the independence that RV travel offers, and that’s what we re selling our customers; the freedom to travel <”in confidence and comfort.” More than 75 years of experience in the production, manufacture and sale of recreational vehicles and manufactured housing are represented in the company’s management team. In addition to Clevenger, the corporation’s officers include Max Ganshorn, vice president; Gerald (Jake) Bitner, secretary and treasurer; and Charles Hardesty, vice president ofTnanufacturing. The units, which also are named Freedom, are mid-priced and designed with the experienced RVer in mind The Freedom Class A motorhome is available on a Chevy or John Deere chassis

1/7 I I Cl MEN'S SHOP I I DOWNTOWN GOSHEN I | y 4%% oh I Suits & Sport Coats I I Merchandise Throughout The Store I I tt n1 rr ci/ Great Savings On I • Hart Schaffner & Marx Dress Shirts I • Cncketeer ' Anow I • Hathaway I • Austin Reed Dress Slacks I TT . 1 r • Jaymar • Hickey freeman • Haggar 1 Open 'ROH I Safia Mon., Tues., Thurs., Sat. 9To 5:30 MtjiSl Wed. 9 To Noon Fri. 9:00 To 8:30

in 29-, 32- or 35-foot lengths with six floorplans from which to choose. The Freedom Class C mini-motorhome comes in two lengths, 24 or 27 feet, and is available in one of eight floorplans on either a Ford or Chevy chassis. Both the Class A and the mini-motorhomes contain many state-of-the-art features in electrical outfitting,

Zimmer 'joint' program explained at Kiwanis

Jim Keeton, video production producer for Zimmers, presented a program to the Milford Kiwanis on Friday morning, July 25. Bob ’ Rassi. retiree from Zimmers, introduced Keeton. “We can replace just about any joint in your body,” said Keeton. “We have toes, ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows and are working on other parts.” Keeton demonstrated how hip and knee joints are put in and how they work. Years ago, people tried to make joints out of several different materials — wood, gold, metal, etc. Today. Warsaw is the orthopedic capital of the world. Nearly 60 percent of all joints

plumbing and interior components. Interior decors available include mauve, coral, sand and blue. The Freedom units will be introduced formally at the Summer Family Motor Coach Rally in Lexington, Ky., and also at the Midwest Manufactured Housing and Recreational Vehicle Show in South Bend.

made are manufactured in Warsaw. Making over 150,000 joints last year, Zimmers one of the largest manufacturers. “Back in 1950, we put our first hip joint in,” said Keeton. “Today, we replace hips everyday.” Many joints are being replaced and the artificial ones seem to be doing as good a job as the real thing. “We’ll continue to work to help people be able to lead normal lives, even though they have had an artificial joint put in.” Keeton said. Guests for the day included Bob Rassi. Byron Ulrich and Bill Dawson.

Ribbon rail to be installed on B & 0 between Milford Junction and Syracuse

By BILL SPURGEON 4 Guest Writer Sidewalk superintendents interested in railroad construction will soon be able to practice their hobby in the Syracuse and Milford areas. Installation of ribbon rail — new welded, steel rail that comes in lengths of several hundred feet as opposed to the long-traditional 39-foot length — is slated for one of the two tracks in the doubletracked section of the Baltimore and \ Ohio Railroad between Milford Junction and Wawasee. Tne new rails are already on site, lying along the southernmost of the two mainline tracks. The north track, or the No. 1 track, was relaid in ribbon rail in 1977 through Syracuse. Although the B&O line through Kosciusko County has not had passenger train service since the creation of Amtrak in 1971, freight traffic remains heavy, and the freight trains often operate at what once would have been considered passenger train speeds. In recent months, freight traffic from the parent CSX Corporation’s Chesapeake and Ohio line from Cincinnati through Richmond, Muncie, Marion and Peru has been diverted to the Deshler, Ohio to Chicago line via Garrett and Syracuse. Ribbon rail is less troublesome to maintain because there are fewer joints and thus fewer rail end to wear down. A side effect is that the familiar clickety-clack of railroad cars passing over rail joints is heard only occasionally. The B&O line is not, as it appears to be, completely doubletracked, although it was for nearly 50 years. A single rail line when constructed in the 1870 s. the B&O’s Willard, Ohio, to Chicago line was double-tracked ini 1916 to handle increased traffic. New signals installed in the early 1920 s caused the demise of one of the two signal towers in the Syracuse-Milford area; the Wawasee tower, located where two sidetracks merged with the double main line just northwest of the Lilly estates on Wawasee, was no longer needed. The Milford Junction tower, which guarded the B&O crossings of the Winona (abandoned in 1949) and

Big Four lines (now Conrail) survived until electronicallycontrolled signalling and dispatching came along in the early 19605. Also in the early 19605, because the new signalling allowed more trains to use a single track, the second track was taken up in several stretches, and that which remains is used as a long passing track. The Milford Junction to Wawasee second track is about 8 miles long. Single track takes up at the former Spink Hotel spur site, just south of the Wawasee airport. Double track begins again just east of Kimmell and continues through Albion. Installation of the ribbon rail is done from a rail train, which

Syracuse — Sesquicentennial 'official' sonq

By JEANNE GARDINER Acting Secretary When the Syracuse sesquicentennial committee held its meeting on Monday, July 21, Jeanne Gardiner introduced Ed Vanlaningham of Milford who had taken Naomi McFarland s sesquicentennial song and revised it for the guitar. Vanlaningham presented the “Syracuse” song vocally and accompanied himself on the guitar. This was the first time most of the committee members had heard the “official" sesquicentennial song and they were pleased with the words and Vanlaningham’s musical presentation. A Plans are to make him available to travel with sesquicentennial speakers who are invited to talk about the sesqui and set the scene musically. A recording will be made for those times when he is not available. The committee voted to add color to the brochure ads. Committee chairmen made their reports. Historical, Jack Elam reported that all but one news article was ready for the brochure. Several clubs have still not turned in information. Others on the committee were absent:

Ull lllv tlHUlllltlVV nvi v uwaviit . street parade. Deb Patterson was on maternity leave; festival and town decorations, Roselyn Jones; displays. Kip Schuum; queen contest. Penny Heckaman, but sent word plans are nearly complete; historical walk. Bob Hampton. Museum — Jeanne Gardiner reported that Barbara Scantlin, owner of the former Herb Basket on East Main Street, was very excited about the thought of her 1837 house being considered as a permanent museum for Syracuse. She will contact the National Herb Society to see if funding is possible through them, as there is a well-established herb garden on the property. Gardiner reported that John Augsburger has been a great help in obtaining information about the various organizations that may be able to help fund a museum. Unfortunately, government funding for such purposes has been discontinued. Joe Gray suggested obtaining a foundation directory which lists available funding sources. Publicity — The committee discussed sending a sesqui Tshirt to Willard Scott, David Letterman, Bill Darwin, and to the “Good Morning America” show. Fund raising — The T-shirts are selling well, additional extra large-and children's size 2-4 were purchased. They are available at several merchants. There are 500 special sesqui bottles of Coke that have been

Studio Apartment yx/s/u,. _ Now "IL ■■ > Under < S n B-f-tr-T— —— 'he Country Manor Studio Apartment is ideal for the single individual The apartment is arrang HIV £ ed for easy, accessible living Each | V7 AK.CA studio is approximately 225 k \ JJ.I V square feet The kitchen includes AM a refrigerator, microwave, sink • K* and storage The bathroom in ~ eludes tub or shower «««— Each apartment is equipped with, an intercom system for emergency needs. The Country Manor Apartments . 1 Bedroom Suite eluding carpeting and draperies — ======== s - apartments are furnished with the resident's personal The Country Manor One- * belongings. - * | Bedroom Suite is ample living space for the retired couple The ms> C.llto. featured adjoined by the kitchen Country Manor. It is not just ano and a separate bedroom The kit- r<t j r ement community. It It truly secure. n» ..to »>.'■« krr. bathroom includes a tub/shower . *a fc—— P.O. Bo* 377 267-5292 Warsaw, IN

picks up the old track and moves the new track into place. Spikes are driven mechanically, and the entire effect is much like a production line on wheels. New crossties were placed on the line last year to receive the new rails. The average life of a wooden crosstie is 40 years; they are treated with creosote as a preservative. The rails which the ribbon rail is replacing were installed in 1949, the old fashioned way, with gangs of men preparing the ties and lifting out the old rails, and assisted with steam cranes, placing new ones, a 39-foot section at a time. The B&O line through Syracuse has fared better than many rail lines. The main line of the former

ordered. It is anticipated that they will sell rapidly as occurred when Milford had their’s. Abbott’s Candy — Additional boxes have arrived, bringing the total order to 1,000. The repeat business is sensational. Gardiner told the group that some time ago she had contacted Angie Plummer of The Image Group about creating a sesqui logo sticker to be used by local businesses on their letterhead, envelopes, and billing statements to show community pride during the sesquicentennial. Mrs. Plummer approached various businesses to ascertain interest (the more who get involved, the lower the price), but met with some misgivings as the local business people had not been made aware that this had the approval of the sesqui committee. The committee, at this point, formally voted to approve the plan. Beemer presented seme excellent photos of ice beats and snowmobilers in action to be used in the brochure Precinct officials

elected Rex Reed, chairman of the Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee appointed Betty Dust to preside at an organizational meeting of the Syracuse Republican Town Committee. Dust called a meeting of the precinct committeemen and women for July 23. Elected at this meeting were — Betty Dust, president; Charlene Knispel, vice president; Susan Myrick, secretary; and Bud Smith, treasurer. S3OO damages as vehicles collide An off-road collision at 11:05 am., Tuesday, July 29, accounted for up to S3OO in damages to a 1980 AMC, driven by Terry A. Popenfoose, 525 S. Harrison St., Syracuse, and an 1979 Ford, driven by Allen E. McDonald, r 1 box 188, Milford. McDonald had entered the parking lot at Barth Inc., SR 15. when he attempted to back into a parking space and col ided with the Popenfoose vehicle', which had pulled in behind him. No injuries or arrests were reported by Milford Town Marshal Dave Hobbs, who was investigating the incident.

Erie Railroad, later the ErieLackawanna, has been completely taken up across Indiana; double-tracked, it once served Decatur. Huntington. Akron. Rochester and North Judson And more recently — the crossing signals are still in place.as are many crossties — the main line of the former Wabash Railway between Chicago and Buffalo. N.Y., via Detroit and Hamilton, Ontario, was dismantled across northern Indiana. This line — the melodious steam locomotive whistles of which could be heard in Syracuse when the wind was right — passed through New Paris, Benton, Millersburg and Topeka. For

V KMT- «■ I M IP v B ■ i K yiml Jll Ira I i W bi fra LOCAL PHYSICIAN IN PRACTICE 40 YEARS — Dr. Robert A. Craig, a Syracuse physician, will celebrate 40 years of practicing medicine on Friday, Aug. 1. Dr. Craig returned from serving in the Army in the Pacific in 1946. While visiting relatives in Syracuse, he happened to run into the late Dr. Fred Clark on the street. Dr. Clark had just gotten out of the Army also. Dr. Craig asked him for information on how to get started professionally. Dr. Clark invited him to join him in practice and on August 1, 1946, Dr. Craig’s practice began. 1 A native of Gary, Dr. Craig graduated in May 1942 from Indiana University Medical School at Indianapolis. After graduating he entered the service serving in the South Pacific obtaining the rank of captain. He served in New Guinea, Bismark Islands, Biak Island, and Cebu and Leyte in the Phillippine Archipelago. After Dr. Clark’s death, his son. Dr. Jack Clark, took over his father’s practice and together he and Dr. Craig have the Syracuse Family Practice Inc., located at 303 S. Huntington in Syracuse. Dr. Craig and his wife, Katherine, reside at 1412-2 Pembrook Circle. Goshen. He has two stepchildren.

Werner elected commander of Indiana American Legion

Al Werner, a 53-year-old Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict, was elected the new Commander of the Indiana American Legion on July 20 at the 68th convention of the Indiana Legionnaires in Jeffersonville A member of the American Legion for 33 years. Werner has served as Commander of Post 464 in St. Joseph, Ninth District Commander, and various chairmanship positions at the state and na tional level of the American Legion. Werner is also a member of La Societe Des 40 Hommes et 8 Chevaux, Voiture Locale 612. Commander Werner, a native of St. Leon, completed his real estate training at Hanover College and is a licensed real estate broker. Al presently serves as the building commissioner of Dear born County. Werner has served as the Financial Secretary in Court 1282, Catholic Order of Foresters, for the past 30 years. Al also served as president of the Dearborn

many years a large coaling station was located at Benton, and water was pumped from the Elkhart River for the locomotives. And finally, the former Pennsylvania main line through Warsaw and Pierceton, now Conrail, - has been reduced to single track 1 and aside from an Amtrak train each way, has only local freight service. Conversely, the AndersonElkhart former Big Four line of Conrail. through Milford, is now a major route, having been upgraded a few years ago with ribbon rail and signals having been installed to control train movements.

County Sheriff Merit Board for 10 years, and is still a member of the board. Werner is a past president of the St. Leon Volunteer Fire Department. Werner and his wife Anna currently live in St. Leon and have six sons, one daughter, and 13 grandchildren. The Indiana American Legion which has over 125,000 members convenes each year to elect new state officers, distribute various awards, and to discuss special areas of interest and actions to be taken during the upcoming year. This year’s convention was a salute to Col Frank R Kossa, Jeffersonville, the only veteran who has participated in all four wars: WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Kossa received a ban quet in his honor and several awards from organizations which he has served over the years. Kossa also received a letter from President Reagan commending him for his patriotism and participation in the service.