The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 50, Milford, Kosciusko County, 10 December 1986 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 10,1986

4

Editorial

Santa Claus is coming. . . Contact with the people in charge at the North Pole has revealed that Santa Claus and his helpers plan to be in the Lakeland area between now and Christmas to talk to the boys and girls and find out what they want him to deliver on Christmas Eve this year when he makes his rounds. “An editorial on Santa,” you say. “Why.?” Because we remember an editorial written years ago to a young lady named Virginia when she wanted to know if there is a Santa Claus! Because Santa is a fun part of Christmas for children; and some adults, too! Because his arrival reminds all of us the Christmas season is here. And, because he is an inspiration to other gift givers. From now on he’ll be on the scene, in person or in spirit, everyday until Christmas Day. He’s in the area to extend an invitation. An invitation to shop in Milford, North Webster and Syracuse this Christmas season ... hometown stores are brimming over with gift ideas for young and old alike. Santa is here to invite all to remember the local merchants. He’s making a list, are you? He’s urging all to shop early and avoid the last minute rush. Christmas is a time for fun, for family and friends. It’s a time for entertaining, for mailing cards and gift giving. But most of all Christmas is when we honor the birthday of the Christ Child who came to earth to be the Savior of the world. Even Santa agrees with this. He doesn’t try to take away from the true meaning of Christmas; he just tries to add to the happiness of the occasion. Take the children to see Santa when he is in your area and check the bargains the area merchants are offering. Christmas carols The custom of singing Christmas carols on the eve of Christmas came to us from England, though for a4ime it — and other Christmas observances — were banned in Puritan New England. As Puritan pressure relaxed, a custom began of placing lighted candles in homes in Boston and spread to various parts of the country. And the English caroling custom, which had long been accepted in the South, then penetrated into more conservative New England. For many years it was the custom of night watchmen to gather together and sing carols and, in the South, students took up the custom. Bowen's $4.92 Health Secretary Otis Bowen has proposed that Medicare premiums be raised $4.92 a month, so that elderly Americans can be insured against catastrophic illness. This extra charge, Bowen says, would provide funds to enable the federal government to pay medical bills for an estimated 800,000 people each year who are either wiped out financially or hit very hard by huge bills. About thirty million Americans now pay the monthly Medicare charge of $17.90 per month. Bowen says the peace of mind they will get, knowing they can’t be wiped out by a catastrophic illness, will be well worth S6O a year in payments. Bowen made his recommendation after a ten-month study, ordered by President Reagan. But the president, who champions private initiative more than government paternalism as a general rule, has not endorsed the Bowen proposal. [ Since many elderly Americans often cannot buy catastrophic illness insurance for less than SI,OOO a year, or even more, they can’t afford it. Bowen’s proposal is the only practical means to avoid financial ruin for many of 800,000 Americans faced with catastrophic illness each year. That fact alone argues sufficiently for congressional and presidential acceptance of the Bowen proposal.

What others say —

Integrity Integrity — the virtue that rewards in business, in the classroom, everywhere In the operating room of a great hospital, a y oung nurse had her first day of full responsibility "You've removed 11 sponges. Doctor. ‘shesaid to the surgeon. "He used 12. ” "I've removed them all.” the doctor declared. ’’ He 'll close the incision now." ’ ’.Vo. ’' the nurse objected. "He used 12. ’’ "I ll take the responsibility.” the surgeon said grimly ' Suture'' ’ "You can’t do that!” blazed the nurse. ’ Think of the pa tient” The’doctor smiled, then show ed the nurse the twelfth sponge. "You'll do. he said. He had been testing her for integrity — and she had it This story, related to noted editor and author Arthur Gordon (Good Housekeeping. Cosmopolitan. Guideposts and Norman Vincent Peale. Minister to Millions), illustrates a key component of integrity): having the courage of your convictions — doing what you believe is right and not fearing to speak out. Such actions are sorely needed in the world today, where looking good and garnering favorable publicity predominate At the root of human existence is the need for integrity as a common element in our collective character. Integrity is difficult to define Eleven dictionaries carry 11 different definitions. We know integrity when we see it, but have trouble explaining it It cannot be self-proclaimed, onlyobserved in others Yet most acts of integrity are performed in private and therefore are not subject to public review or even public knowledge. Those who have integrity in large measure have discovered something that the rest of the world must learn: this desirable quality, which many look upon as a mixture of sacrifice, struggle and disadvantageous decision-making, actually maxes life easier, more joyful and more powerful A return to integrity is what the world has waited for A cycle began with he social revolutions of the 1960 s It continued through the selfexploration of the 1970 s and the high-tech disenfranchisement of the 1980 s Now it is ready to come full circle with a return to commitment to

human virtues in the 19905. The recapture of the spirit and essence of integrity is the crucial link to our ability to make the future work. Curiously, we discount acts of integrity practiced by others by not believing that they can have done what they’ve done simply because they thought it to be right. Paradoxically, we’re quick to condemn others who vividly display a lack of integrity, all the while overlooking or forgetting our own lapses. The courts can judge legality, but who can judge integrity? There is a private, quiet, simple nature to integrity, though we almost expect it to appear in an historical, far-reaching grand display. What is integrity? Many things, really. ’ Perhaps it is the pivotal concept of what it means to be human and accept one s humanity. Integrity has many synonyms, but no one is sufficient: trustworthiness, loyalty, virtue, sincerity, candor, uprightness, honesty. It is also the avoidance of deception and expediency. It is being the same person to everyone, maintaining values steadfastly, and focusing on what you believe is right. Who has integrity? The immediate answer is those who demonstrate it, and those who keep making the choice; integrity is not something to be mastered and put on the shelf. The display of integrity by one individual inspires others around him. Raising our children in the spirit of integrity helps them function adequately in society. Integrity in our profession leads to prosperity; we go back to the store or persons who have us a fair deal Those who display integrity often inspire trust, respect, and peace of mind in others. Integrity "creates a context in which all things are possible." Similarly, the lack of it is contagious. What happens when significant numbers of people act with integrity just orice per day? The rallying effect is magnificent. Integrity is scarce, but it is not exhaustible. The integrity of those with big dreams enables others to latch on to the vision. A modest increase in the level of integrity in society will transform society. (Parts of an article written by Jeffrey P. Davidson of Falls Church, Virginia, a certified management consultant, for The Rotarian, October 1986)

®J h ’•* 1 I | JMMB I ! I 3M jßh f Hl I E ■F Santa was in Syracuse last Saturday and has promised to return on December 13 and 20.

Court news

County Court The following persons have been assessed fines and costs and have paid those fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Speeding — Paying $65 fines and costs were: Brian E. Rich, 25, Leesburg; Thomas B. Davis, 23, Leesburg; Kim M. Trammel, 26, Leesburg. Paying SSO fines and costs were: Connie E. Gunderson, 29. Leesburg; Kelly J Lundy, 17, Leesburg; David S. Collins, 17, Leesburg; Travis L Harris, North Webster. Paying $45 fines and costs were: Brian S. Smith, 25, Leesburg; John A Price, 47. Syracuse. Troy M. Webb, 23, Syracuse,sss. No registration plate — Sonya L. Zentz, 19, Syracuse, SSO. Disregarding automatic signal — Patrick J. Morr, 24. Leesburg, SSO. Improper headlight — Steven A. Bergman, 32, North Webster. $45. Expired registration plate — Paying SSO fines and costs were: David J. Daigle, 28, North .Webster; Donald W. Greene, 22, Syracuse. False registration — Peggy Sue Carroll. 22, North Webster, SSO. Failure to use headlights — Patrick J. Morr, 24. Ix?esburg. $45. Marriage Licenses The following couples have ap plied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Peak-Foster Homer L. Peak. 32, 742 Hun tington. Syracuse, and Shirley Foster, 38, 742 Huntington. Syracuse Meade-Davis Johnny Wayne Meade, 29, r 2 box 238-2, Leesburg, and Lou Ann Davis, 26, r 2 box 238-2, Leesburg Tethrake-Blue Steven Merle Tethrake, 19, P.O. Box 555 Milford, and Bar bara Louise Blue, 18, r 1 box 625 G, Leesburg Flannery-Whetten Larry’ Edward Flannery. 22. P.O. Box 552 Milford, and Pamela Sue Whetten, 26, P.O Box 552 Milford Barhydt-Dull Douglas M. Barhydt, 31, box 281 Ligonier, and Cheryl Lynn Dull, 29, r 3 Leesburg Miller-Neunsch wander George M. Miller, 68, r 1 box 6478, North Webster, and Avis Mae Neunschwander, 57, Ft Wayne Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superior Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Dan J. Gladieux and Sue Palmer, r 3 box 569, Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendants for the sum of $5,682.25 plus interest, attorney's fees and all costs of action. Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Tim Cook and Mary Cook, 1275 Beach Road, Nappanee. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendants for the sum of $1,873.12 plus interest, attorney's fees and all costs of action. Complaint On Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Michael and Linda Stahley, 400 S Maple, Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendants in the amount of $558.28 plus interest, attorney s fees and all costs of action. : Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Juanita J. Sammons, r 2 box 35,

North Webster. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $246.59 plus interest, attorney’s fees and ail costs of action. Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Brandon B. Moncrief, r 8 box lA, Warsaw. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $704.73 plus interest, attorney’s fees and- all costs of action Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Rex L. and Lorraine A. Miller, Nappanee. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $4,293.29 plus interest, attorney's fees and all costs of action. Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Gregory S George, r 1 box 638, North Webster The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $511.73 plus interest, attorney's fees and all costs of action Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Terrill Lee Bowen, P.O. Box 513 Syracuse The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $737.17 plus interest. attorney's fees and all costs of action Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Wright — Theodore Wright, no address given, and Lome Wright, no address given The couple was married Nov. 24, 1985, and separated Nov. 25, 1986 Circuit Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Richard Sand presiding: Complaint Kurt K Kruger and Catherine A Kruger versus Brenda Jean Miller, P.O Box 211 Milford. The plaintiffs are seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $55,000 plus attorney’s fees and all costs of action, for the loss by fire of a home owned by the plaintiffs and rented by the defendant. Plaintiffs allege the fire was caused by the defendant’s negligence and carelessness. They request a jury trial. City Court The following fines have been levied and paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding — David L. Gildersleeve, 40, Syracuse, $47.50; Judith R. Schrock, 22, Syracuse, $57 50; Robert M Steinhoff, 20, Syracuse, $47.50 Improper display of license plate — Gregory Calhoun, 28. Syracuse, $38.50

THE MAIL JOURNAL (U S P S. 3258 4000) Published by the Mall Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Office at Syracuse. Indiana 44567 Second class postage paid as 103 E. Main Street. Syracuse. Indiana 44547 and at additional entry offices Subscription JIS per year In Kosciusko County. «3 outside county POSTMASTERS Send change of ad dress forms to The Mall Journal. PO Box IM. Milford. Indiana 44543

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

THE MOVIE “Hoosiers” that is currently the object of so much nostalgia in Hoosierdom, has something of a local connection, we found out during the past week. Syracuse realtor Ric Schaekel was a high school basketball star in the era the movie depicts — and in the same locale where it was shot. Ric played high school basketball four years at tiny Pittsboro, west of Indianapolis, which at the time had a population of about 400, he states. He graduated there in _ 1962. And Ric played in the Brownsburg gym where the movie sectional tourney was played, and was junior high coach at the Lebanon junior high gym where the movie regional game was played. What’s more, Ric’s good friend, Mickey Schenck, has a son Wade who played the part of the student manager in the movie who was called off the bench to make two free throws to win the sectional tourney. Schenck's daughter Libby played the part of a cheerleader Another surprise for Ric was the fact that three of his aunts, two from Brownsburg and one from Pittsboro, were sitting in the audience during the games and were easily recognized by Ric. Schaekel had a number of coaching jobs, the last being at West Noble High School where his assistant was Gary Goshert, now coach at Wawasee High School —o— CUSTOMERS AT Hook's Drugs at the south edge of North Webster won't be seeing the smiling face of store manager Michael E. Lewallen any more. Mike began his new job with Hook's Monday morning as manager of their new store al Bicknell, a town "about the size of Syracuse" located just outside Vincennes in southern Indiana. A native of North Webster, Mike has managed the North Webster outlet for the past four and half years. He’s a graduate with the last class (HMIN) al North Webster’s old high school before consolidation. The girls at the store prepared Mike a nice going-away cake one day last week —o— ROY AND I.aurle Bergman arc being welcomed by neighbors on North Shore Drive as new residents at 88 NSD. They're making friends fast and doing what they can to get settled in our community. Roy is sales manager for Elkhart Enterprises at 25771 Miner Road. Elkhart, and Laurie, with natural sales talents, is looking for a sales job in the area. —o— , DICK WELNBRENNEK. superintendent and engineer for the Kosciusko County Highway Department, might be interested to know his credibility in the lakes area is not exactly what he would like it to be. Dick’s name is coming up in local coffee houses more and more, as to his prediction that the Channel Bridge would be open to traffic on December 13 - just 60 days after it was begun — according to the county 4 contract with contractor Jack Camden of Pierceton. The contract, calling for an expenditure of $102,000. with variables thal could add another SB,OOO to the bridge's cost, calls for new abutments, strengthening and widening the heretofore inadequate and dangerous bridge. At one coffee shop, at least, skeptics have begun predictions in earnest and have come up with their own predictions which have been duly recorded on a wall calendar. We're going to keep an eye on this to see who actually comes closest in their guess for the bridge's opening date. DICK WYSONG. vocational director at Wawasee High School, is sparring around for ideas for his forthcoming adul’ education program, and is asking for suggestions on subjects to be pursued. Anyone with ideas is asked to contact Wysong at the school He operates his program pretty much by consensus and demand WE HEARD this definition of a high school basketball coach: A fellow who turns up al the school gym every Friday night to watch a bunch of 17-year-olds run up and down the floor with his paycheck. BLANCHE PRESSLER, the former Blanche Ellis of the Syracuse community, now of near Mottville, Mich., was in the community last week to visit her granddaughter Donyel Byrd. Blanche and her husband Jim own River Haven, a bed and breakfast establishment on the St Joe River, and have been doing a flourishing business with their venture, now in its fifth year Blanche is the mother of the late Robert Ellis, Kosciusko County’s first casualty in the Vietnam War. He was killed February 29. 1968. and interred in the Syracuse Cemetery in a military ceremony that brought that conflict real close to home.

ifi* "" - - — - - — — - 'V- ZX* , PAUL BEEZLEY AND HIS WINNING CRAFT (Story on page 5)

EXPERTS TELL us the thing that makes lhe television phenomenon "Wheel of Fortune" so popular is the fact that one can watch it in the comfort of his own home and actually become a passive participant. Now comes this new game where everyone can participate: What to call the affair that sells arms to Iran and gives the money to lhe Nicaraguan contras'? Some publications have been running quasi contests, and this column has even promised to print reasonable suggestions, Here are a few thal have already been heard Iranamok, Contradeceptive, Iranscam, Contrascam, Contragate. Armsgate, Contrafiction. Payatollah, Ayatollah-so, Scantra claus, Reagan armies, Gipper’s Gap, Bonzo's 800-800, Ollie'B Follies, and Cuckoo Iran and Ollie As If to honor Lt, Col, Oliver North al the Pen- / tagon, wags are calling the purking area North Parking Lol. The Nixon affair settled for Watergate, and »you can be sure something like one of lhe above will eventually emerge as a handle on the un folding Iran-Contra mess —o WHAT IS a scam and what isn't u scam, that seems to be the question. Lust week Superintendent II.J, Hull was approached to approve the promotion of a pamphlet (or booklet > highlighting the evils of drugs. The school doesn't lend legitimacy to such private projects, Dr. Hull commented anil so he refused to attend a Warsaw meeting ol lhe promoters. Anyway, a town permit would have to be up proved at $25 per day to solicit lhe community and no such permit was sought, according to town clerk-treasurer Jennifer Lewis -o THIS IS not Io be confused with QUEST, un alcohol- and drug-abuse program sponsored and underwritten by the Lions Clubs of the Milford. North Webster and Syracuse cominunilics. This program has the blessing and cooperation of the school and is run al no cost to the taxpayers. Dr, Hull, himself a member of the Syracuse Lions Club, halls the QUEST program as legitimate and very helpful In combating one ol the school's chief problems. —o— THE WAWASEE School Hoard met this alter noon (Wednesday) for a five-hour session of inter viewing prospective candidates for su|jermien dent of the school corporation The screening com mittee. headed by Marion ("Hud") Lantz, former corporation business manager, had 21 candidates to consider, and quickly boiled thal number down to five, in sessions the screening committee held last Monday and Thursday nights This afternoon, the school board scheduled its first meeting at 3 p.m.. then one each hour until the five candidates have been thoroughly Interviewed by the hoard. Board mcmbcrs-elect Hill Troup and Curtis Jordan were to sit in on the Interview#, although they won't become seated until January I. All five candidate# come from within the slate of Indiana, it was learned One of the candidates for the post who is within the system was cut from the list, the other not —o—.SATURDAY NIGHT seemed like old home night, as the Wawasee Warriors defeated the Prairie Heights Panthers at the local gvm Old home night, at least, insofar as two couples were concerned. In the Prairie Heights audience were superintendent Bob and Eileen Slavens, and prin cipal Ken and Norma Workman of lhe Prairie Heights school Let's go back a little Bob Slavens was principal of the old Syracuse High School for several years in the late 1960 s prior Io school con solidation, and had won a good reputation as a strict disciplinarian Hob is now Prairie Heights superintendent, a,school located along US 20 in 1-a Grange County, about half lhe size of Wawasee with some 500 students Ken Workman, principal at Prairie Heights, will be remembered here as SHS coach during 1965-68. His win/loss record with the old Yellowjacket# was a# follows: 1965-66, and 1967-68. 7-11. Ken is quick to recall, a record he is proud of. He is also quick to remember old SHS stalwarts such as John Ixmgcnbaugh. Hob Pilcher. John Wortingcr, Rob Clevenger. Tom Thornburg. Curt Stuckey. Casey Kroh, Brad Bauer, Rob and Greg Smith, Dave Webster and Dave Wickstrom, to recall a few Ken's girls' team defeated Wawasee in the Warsaw regional last year and went on to be unsuccessful in the semi-state play-off, Ken came to Syracuse in 1965 and was Gary Goshert's eighth grade coach at Warsaw Junior High School before moving to Syracuse Goshert, if you aren't up on these things, is now coach of the Wawasee Warriors basketball team Norma Workman taught the fourth grade at Syracuse Elementary School and continues to teach elementary at Prairie Heights. (Continued on page 5)