The Mail-Journal, Volume 23, Number 52, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 December 1986 — Page 6

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

Community Corner

Scrooge sends a Christmas message

IB) MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Searching for a person to talk to for a profile that would be fitting for Christmas had me strolling through department stores, talking to people ringing bells outside those stores, and reading stories of Christmas past. Santa Claus was suggested, but I decided that he'd been interviewed countless times and besides — why bother him during his busiest time of the year? Profile Feeling defeated. I went to bed Monday night without an inkling of who would find himself on this page Wednesday morning. Drifting off to sleep. 1 felt a tap on my shoulder as a visitor in a dark robe entered my room. “Mark, hey Mark wake up!” he said, looking down as I shook sleep from my head. “Who are you. what are you doing in my room?” I said, my hand searching for something to grab hold of to discourage his advancement. But he remained there, looking down as tears swelled in his eyes. The face became familiar; it wasn't-someone I'd seen in person, yet I knew him. Still trying to determine where I’d met the aging man. I propped myself up to the end of the bed. leaning against the headboard as he began to speak “I heard you’re looking for a person to talk to about Christmas.” he said in a shaky voice. “Yea. sort of.” I retorted, squinting to get a closer look at the man. “Would you like me to turn on a light?” he asked. “No. no. I’m fine. " I said, growing accustomed to the shaded condition. He offered a hand and as I shook it I couldn't help but notice his frail wrinkled skin. "How did you get in here,” I asked, noticing that the window was closed, while the door also showed no signs of being ajar.

“It doesn't matter,” he said, adding. "What matters is why' I'm here.” “Okay, why are you here?” I prompted

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IMPOSTOR? — Having gained fame with the younger generation by being played by such famous characters as Donald Duck. Ebenezer Scrooge hopes to instill the spirit of giving shown in his later years, Charles Dickens’ 1843 tale about a miser who shuns Christmas has been adapted 11 times as a feature film and innumerable times lor the small screen. ( MCMI.XXXIII — Walt Disney Productions.) Grabbing a milk crate that had housed some of the books I had been reading earlier, he turned it over and slowly bent down — his bones cracking loudly as he took his place on the hard plastic container. "I've come to tell you about myself and Christmas and what people have mistaken us both for. ' he said as 1 began to wonder if he'd come from the nursing home down the street, or a mental institution. Or 1 Suddenly he began to laugh. "I know what you're thinking.” he said. "Don't be afraid. I haven't come from any of those places — I'm from a place you've never seen.” "But where is that?" I questioned, and as the man rolled his eyes towards the ceiling I really began to worry “I'm Ebenezer Scrooge.” he stated as I nodded my head to humor him Taking a closer look. 1 realized that he did resemble an old drawing I'd seen of the fabled character, but no. it couldn't be

“I just wish people would see me the way I was in the mid 1800 s rather then my early years." he continued, referring to the years he helped support Tiny Tim and his family as opposed to the days that made the word “Scrooge" famous In hopes of shedding the image he discarded that memorable Christmas Eve. the man noted that he had played Santa Claus in several department stores throughout the world. “I just wanted to get a look at the good in people and let them see a little good in me. " he said. But what Santa, er... make that Ebenezer. saw was mothers wrestling for the last Care Bear and children begging for more toys than they could possibly play with. “Back when I was such a ’Scrooge' there were children who had nothing, yet they would give whatever they could of themselves to others." he said, adding. "Christmas is about giving, not getting." I said that I had seen what he was talking about, but added. “There is still a lot of good in people ” "I know. 1 just wanted you to remind those that may have forgotten." he rebuked. Playing along with his claim of being "The" Ebenezer Scrooge, 1 questioned him further "What has become of Jacob Marley aqd.the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future *' I said with a chuckle. He looked at me sternly. "Marley has cleansed his soul of all past sinful actions while the ghost of the past has retired," he said, adding, "The ghost of Christmas present has become the ghost of the past, while the ghost of the future is the ghost of Christmas present." Thoroughly confused. I retorted. "So who has taken the role of Christmas future? ’ "Ah. that is where you come in -by writing about me yob can help others to determine what the ghost of Christmas future will become.” he said, lifting himself from his seat and walking into the distance. Shaking my head as he left. I again drifted off to sleep. I was awakened a short tune later by a blaring radio, and seeing the sunrise drift into the room. 1 lifted myself from the bed. Still wondering who I could write about for a profile this week. I stumbled as my foot hit an old milk crate that was setting upright on the floor Books were scattered evervwhere As I replaced the books I couldn't help but notice the one with frayed edges peeking between the cover, which read "A Christmas Carol —by Charles Dickens. "Hmmm. maybe' I could write about naw. nobodv would believe it "

i ANNOUNCE ENGAGEMENT — Mr. and Mrs. John E. Ames, r 9 Southwood Addition. Warsaw, announce the engagement of their daughter. Amy Suzanne, to Jerry Lee Feldman. Pierceton. The prospective bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Graber, r 2 North Webster, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Feldman. CR It)SOW. Etna Green. Miss Ames is a graduate of Warsaw Community High School and is presently a junior at Manchester College. Her fiance graduated from Wawasee High School in 1982 and is employed at Indiana Truss, a division of North Webster Construction. Inc. Wawasee winter aerobics class The Wawasee adult education bodyworks class will begin its winter session on Monday, Jan 5, at 7pm The class will meet on Monday and Thursday nights from 7-8 p.m. in the P E annex at Wawasee High School Interested persons may enroll at the first session. Debra Geisler enrolls in Lipscomb College Debra Lynne Geisler, daughter of John Marvin Geisler, r 2 Runaway Bay 26 box 391. Syracuse, has enrolled as a new student at David Lipscomb College, Nashville. Tenn. She was among 2,230 students enrolling in fall quarter classes September 11 David Lipscomb College offers nearly 100 liberal arts majors in 17 academic departments. Degree programs lead to the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and master of arts in Bible studies. Lipscomb is affiliated with the churches of Christ. f Roses are red. violets are blue, at 43 you are getting better and older too. I We love roof Happy Birthday

SfllOS GPOTfKB Thanks to our customers for a great year. Looking forward to serving you next year. .r ' <; * » - t ’ r J J 4 . ..'O-' z jfl MuA till ’ a XW BJJ F * Mr' ■ ' JFilw **& ! ' ? I (. \ Lori, Anita,fill, Tracy ' 736 S. Huntington .. Syracuse • 457-4753

CALENDAR Week Os December 24 To December 31 WEDNESDAY Al-Anon 9 a.m., in North Webster Church of God AA 12 noon, in Syracuse Church of God Syracuse Fire Department Regular Meeting 7 p.m., in the fire station Alcoholics Anonymous 7:30 p.m., in Wawasee Episcopal Center, All Saints Episcopal Church, south shore of Lake Wawasee. one-half mile east of South Shore Golf Club on Vernon Road Al-Anon 7:30p.m., in Sacred Heart Church. Warsaw Al-Anon 7:30 p.m., in Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church. Syracuse t THURSDAY MERRY CHRISTMAS Adult children of Alcoholics ■ 7:30 p.m , in North Webster United Methodist Church FRIDAY Milford Kiwanis 6:45a.m., in Milford Community Building Alcoholics Anonymous 7:30 p.m., in Wawasee Episcopal Center. All Saints Episcopal Church, south shore of Lake Wawasee, one half mile east of South Shore Golf Club on Vernon Road Heart Os Lakes Squares 8-10:30p.m., inSyracuse Elementary SATURDAY Wawasee Kiwanis \ \ ) } 7am., in Gropp’s Syracuse SUNDAY Alcoholics Anonymous 10 am. in North Webster Fire Station AA, Al-Anon. Aloteen 8 p.m.. in North Webster United Methodist Church MONDAY i Lakeland Kiwanis 6:45 a.m., in North Webster Church of God Al-Anon 7:30 p.m.. in Milford United Methodist Church Milford Jayceettes 7:30 p.m.. in the Jaycee Clubhouse TUESDAY Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary JjFiS&K 12 noon, in Beacon Restaurant WEDNESDAY Al-Anon 9a m.. in North Webster Church of God AA 12 noon, in Syracuse Church of God Alcoholics Anonymous 7:30 p.m.. in Wawasee Episcopal Center. All Saints Episcopal Church, south shore of Lake Wawasee. one-half mile east of South Shore Golf Club on Vernon Road Al-Anon 7:30 p.m.. in Sacred Heart Church, Warsaw Al-Anon 7:30 p.m , in Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse