The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 52, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 December 1986 — Page 16

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., December 24,1986

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Christmas in days gone

By DON KAISER Guest F eature Writer What member of the older brigade can ever forget the great .’hristmas seasons of the past]’ Os course. Christmas- is dost generally welcomed, and enjoyed, whether it be today, vesterday, or in generations to ■ome However, in times gone by. he Yuletime Season was truly ooked upon as being the most nagnificent occasion of the year. And now, today — well, in this lav and age. many individuals, ncluding lots of excited kids, still ook forward to Christmas with a great deal of enthusiasm. On the ither hand, let’s be honest. In hese times, with so much money •ircuiating about, plus the opporunity to make nearly any pur hase one desires. I'd say that urrently folks, especially . itungsters... in one way or mother, have Christmas just ihmii pvprv ilnvnl thpir livp<s

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I There are three sides to every question: the pro side, the con side and the inside. ! ■ - WWW! e& . v ""•. ,y «t i p ■>-■ fc •'"% j 1 j-**’’ ' _ i ■ 1 IVr if 11 I /dure reading about ( li I \ t i If I This let-the-chips-fall-something important you | Lit ' 1 J fl where-they-may attitude don't want to know what | i tjf i has helped The Mansomebody, thinks has hap- IP Ts /[' I Journal to grow over the pened You want to know i 1 ' i I i years. The Mail-Journal what has n fact-happened. In I I / isn't afraid to take a stand ' *li I I '/ I \ ' where a stand should be We want you to know —’ that too *" — " } „— — fry yh e Mail-Journal on / our special introductory offer. why The Mail- ' ' If you don't | ike the paper, Journal goes o such you'll get your money back. If you do take the engtns to insure that its paper, you can save hundreds of dollars a year news columns are unbiased. We re not for or through buying bargains, against anything — not in our news columns, at least As far as we are able, we give you the Fill out and mail the coupon below. Take us up straight story the unvarnished who, what, on our introductory offer on a Money-Back why where how Sj when, and so what of Guarantee basis. Satisfaction guaranteed or anything that happens in the Lakeland communi- your money back! You won't get just the pro ty If you want to know what we think, read our side of local news, or the con side. You'll get the editorials inside. Don't Miss CRUZIN’ AROUND 'CUS? Detach and enclose in an envelope along with your remittance to THE MAIL-JOURNAL I P.O. Box TBB, Milford, IN 46542 i Money-Back Guarantee Order Form Yes, I'll accept your Money-Back Guarantee. Start my subscription immediately. One Year In Kosciusko County $16.00 ' * TO% Discount to Senior Citizens. One Year Outside Kosciusko County $22.00 (To be eligible you must be 65). Please Include Check or Money Qfder I Name „ | Address I City And State Zip —Date I Mail To The Mail-Journal, P.O. Box IBS, Milford, Indiana 46542

Many decades ago. the situation was considerably different. Most people then weren’t quite so fortunate in being able to acquire the simplest of luxuries the way they do now, so everybody always looked forward to Christmas for that special gift or two, plus the inevitable "goodies,” because they couldn't manage to attain these things in ordinary, everyday circumstances. How well I remember Christmas, 1926, the year I started to school. What a wonderful holiday! Everybody in town seemed to be in a gay, festive spirit for kindness and generosity prevailed everywhere. I recall that my barber, John Ruple, presented to each and every one of his child patrons, a nice treat during that Christmas season of 26. His wife, ‘Granny” Ruple they called her, made candy and crackerjack for the kids, throwing m a smooth, shiny red apple to boot. And when the Runles

presented me with a sackful of these mouth-watering delectables, I felt as though a special angel had descended from heaven and given me his blessing. On Christmas Eve, 1926, my church, Leesburg United Methodist, presented a lively pageant featuring all those beloved characters from “Mother Goose.” I was chosen to represent “Little Jack Horner,” but not so little, I’m afraid. For, as a child, I was a real tub. And, of course, I had to do the bit where Jack sticks his thumb in the pie and “pulls out a plum.” But, I must say that during the situation in question, for me such a task was a bit difficult to accomplish since the lady who baked the pie for the pageant decided to use raisins. Yes, on that Christmas Eve in 1926, the Methodist church truly did itself proud in presenting the real Yuletide spirit. Not only did the children reach their zenith in

top-notch performance, but the choir loft was converted into a display platform for one of the biggest, brightest, most ornate Christmas trees that I have ever seen. Its top reached the ceiling, while the boughs were opulently laden with every type of colorful, sparkling ornament and garland imaginable. The tree was also loaded with many elaborate gifts to be handed out that night to certain people in the congregation. As for handing out gifts, I recall that a year or two later, during the Christmas period, somebody bestowed upon me a whole dollar for gift spending. Therefore, deciding that I wanted to buy everyone in the immediate family a present, I marched up to our corner drug store and picked out 10 gifts that cost 10 cents each. Mrs. Metz, wife of the store’s proprietor, gave me free Christmas paper and ribbon and wrapped the gifts for me. And, oh what I bought for $1! There was a set of bright red candles for Mom, 10 cents; a corncob pipe for Grandpa, 10 cents; a rubber ball for my brother, Glen, another 10cents; a little celluloid doll, with clothes, for sister, Dorthy. 10 cents; plus six other presents to be distributed among the family. What I attained for $1 in the late ’2os would no doubt today be worth several dollars more. During the depression years, in the early '3os, folks didn’t have a great deal of capital to "squander” on Christmas. I recollect a certain talented lady in town during those hard times who had the ability to sketch, so she turned penny postcards into Christmas cards by drawing all kinds of pretty, colorful holly and poinsettia designs and symbols of Santa Claus on the cards. Therefore, during the Yuletide, the lady fully economized by making her own cards that cost only a penny apiece. In 1946. during the Christmas season. I experienced what I consider to be a very touching moment in my life. At the time, I served as clerk in "Harley’s Cash

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Store,” and there was a friendly, hardworking farm lady who came to the store often. This woman was not a lady of property; that is, where finances are concerned, she was very limited. However, just a day or two before Christmas, the farm lady ambled into the store, her arm enfolding something in a crumpled paper sack. As she approached me, in her usual jolly tone of voice, she called out, “Merry Christmas, Donny! Here’s a can of my homemade peaches. I want to give them to you because I like you.” Well, I don’t believe that I have ever received another gift in my entire life that touched me so much. For I realized that, although the farm lady had very little, she still wanted to remember me at Christmas with her "humble” can of peaches. To me, the kind, thoughtful farm woman represents what Christmas is really all about. "The Babe in the Manger and the true spirit of giving.” Name left off sponsors' list The name of the Lakeside Security Systems was inadvertently left off the list of sponsors for the recent North Webster Sesq"icentennial Logo Contest. NIPSCO disagrees ababxl haibm mAboalbo with acia rain siuay Northern Indiana Public Service Company said an independent study overestimates rate increases that would be needed to comply with proposed acid rain legislation. The study, released by the Washington-based research firm Management Information Services Inc., projected rate increases for NIPSCO of 17 or 22 percent, depending on which Congressional bill was considered. Randall C. Jacobs. NIPSCO’s director of public relations, said the rate increase estimate is much higher than what would occur for NIPSCO. A projection of a 6.3 percent increase, determined by an analysis prepared by the Governor s Acid Raid Task Force, is more reflective of what impact proposed legislation would have on NIPSCO’s rates, he said. "The task force analysis also showed that NIPSCO would be the least affected electric utility in the state by acid raid legislation." Jacobs said. The task force study was presented in testimony by Indiana Public Service Commissioner Karl O’Lessker before a U.S. House of Representative subcommittee on June 19. "Our electric system is already meeting strict air pollution control standards that have caused us to make large capital investments,” Jacobs said. "Therefore, we have relatively little exposure to any proposed acid rain legislation." Jacobs added that NIPSCO would also have the option of using natural gas to generate electricity and meet acid rain controls if the federal Fuel Use Act is repealed. Republican caucus to be Dec. 29 Kosciusko County Republican Chairman, Rex Reed, has called a Turkey Creek Republican Caucus for precinct committee members on Monday, Dec. 29 at 4:15 p.m., in the Syracuse Town Hall. The purpose of the caucus is to name a replacement for Susan Myrick on the Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board. Mrs. Myrick, who has served four years on the board, resigned from the advisory board effective December 10. ‘Remaining on the board is Jack Ridings and Carl Hadley. Those interested in filing for the vacancy may obtain applications for candidacy at the Trustees office. Reed must receive the applications 72 hours prior to the caucus on Monday.

__ A bit of Good Cheer we’re sending 'specially your #a • dlJt way ' A Happv 4WjL Season to you, to yours, to all, A £OO S * \ ** RWri, y S®? M&l ' Lakeland Standard Syracuse Phone 457-2400

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> .tM BBBEiI ENTRYWAY ACCENTED — The new wallpaper in the library’s entryway accents a window above the door that many never recall seeing before. Progress seen in renovation JF IM*— * 11/ w ***** i i ■■■LMW • ’ I II BM■ iSo 'SKF * W READINti SPACE ADDED — A cozy reading space occupies the area once taken up by a dingy old bookshell. ■I I 2jJ| OQ 1 mwiiw Ml !"! I | r SEATING AREA IMPROV ED — The once long tables at the Millord Public Library have been shorted to better accommodate the needs of the library.

firemen called Syracuse Fire Department was called to the home of James Bryan. 212 E. Washington Street, Syracuse, at 2:53 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, when Bryan smelled smoke in the home. There was no fire found and no damage. Bryan told firemen he smelled smoke on the first floor of his twostory home. Firemen went into the home and checked the home thoroughly and found no fire.

|ii||F¥ 4rvSyT Sincere wishes for a joyous Noel to \y o our good friends and customers. May the best of this Holiday Season be yours. Milford Party Pack me. SR 1 5N — 658-9375 ) ■IWr&7 : A ° w 1 Eh '•4 ■" <^zXZ * °<> 9 V>A _ ‘ J 1 Zs w y> / i