The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 10, Milford, Kosciusko County, 22 April 1987 — Page 6

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., April 22,1987

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Community Corner i' . a

. M. Lynn Gray has many creative talents

(By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer You may know him as the author of the “Herbie The Mouse" series. Or as the one who has painted the murals on the walls in the North Webster Elementary School building. Or perhaps as one of.the singers with the God’s Children quartet. Or as the one who cleans the school, the quiet, contented janitor. Anyone who knows him. knows he’s the creatively talented M. Lynn Gray from North Webster. Profile Gray is a lifetime resident of the area, and a graduate from Wawasee High School. His family has lived near North Webster for 150 years. Currently Gray is busy serving in a janitorial position at the North Webster Schools, as well as doing free-lance writing and painting. He’s also continuing to paint murals at the school and plans to concentrate his paintings on the junior high section of the building this summer. The multi-talented man stated that he did his first wall mural in 1972 and did “probably another dozen while in the Navy, between 1976 andT9Bo.” He explained that although he enlisted in the Navy, he wasn’t there six weeks before he realized that Navy life wasn’t for him. So he, “turned to painting and writing as a means of escape.” And, hence “Herbie” was born. “I used to’ send Herbie letters and pictures to my kid sister,” said Gray. “My mom would read the little exerts and really started pushing me to do something with them.” After the continued encouragement of his mother, and the persistent yearning to do something with his work, Gray enrolled in The Institute of Children’s Literature. He was stimulated through the course to start marketing his stories, and later to write two books. He now has Herbie marketed on a regular basis, as Herbie has a Christmas story, Easter story and many others. During the birth and growth of Herbie, Gray has also actively pursued art. He says he majored in art in high school and has had four years of this, but has not had advanced art education. He just enjoys doing it. He started doing murals at the school in 1984 and has also done a variety of barn plank scenes, and home murals since that time. “I don’t really advertise,” commented Gray, “it’s mostly just a word of mouth type of thing, somebody’s sister or friend or whatever, wants me to paint something for them like I did at the school or someplace else.” But writing and painting and holding a full time job aren’t always enough for Gray. When his creative juices are really flowing he literally sings. He was a part of a singing group “God’s Children” for six years and now sings at various functions, including weddings, and

BPW elects Bessie Stetler president

* 'Bessie Stetler was elected club t president and Linda Jaggers, /elected treasurer for 1987-1989 at • the April 14 meeting of the Syracuse Business and Proses.sional Women's Club. The meeting was in a local restaurant. During the business session the

Columbians meet

The Columbia Reading Circle of Milford met Monday evening, April 13, in the home of Elaine Weiss with 17 members present. Club president Kate Doty reported an amendment to the constitution has been approved, changing the schedule of regular meetings for the 1987-88 season. Members were entertained by an evening of music, presented by the Milford School Fifth Grade Special Choir under the direction of Donna Pollen. The last meeting of the club’s 1986-87 season will be a dinnerparty to be held May 11 in Nap-

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club’s 50th anniversary on May 5 was discussed. The anniversary celebration will be in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, at 6:30 p.m. All former BPW members are urged to attend. Carol Elder should be contacted for reservations. Judy Warner, Miller’s Merry

panee. Each member is to take a donation for the Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis. Turkey Creek Junior Highs to have BBQ Members of the Turkey Creek Church of the Brethren Junior High Sunday School class will hold a carry-out chicken barbecue in Campbell’s IGAparking lot in Saturday, April 25. Chicken will be available from 11 am. until 4 p.m. . „

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AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW — Painter; writer, singer, carpenter and janitor, are a few of the many things that are rolled up together to make M. Lynn Gray the creative person that he is. As an most recently for the American Legion Birthday Celebration. He sings solos, as well as duets, quartets, sextet and in groups. But once again, his talent leads the way, as he states. “I don’t really read music. But I enjoy it.” Gray states that serving in the Navy gave hifiwliscipline and an attitude of refusing to “say I can’t" which has, overflown into other parts of his life. Now he’s more inclined to beliefye he can do it. whatever it is. This attitude of trying it, may be one of the large factors that V

Manor Administrator in Syracuse, was accepted as a new member. The secretary and treasurer’s reports were*read and approved. Hostesses for the evening were Ann Shrock, Marie Harbison and Lois Shearer. Gloria Hodler gave a reading "The Road That Jesus Walked.” Door prizes were won by Charlotte Wells, Blanche Mason and Pat Benson. There were 23 members and one guest, Ann Childers, present. Awards to be held The Syracuse Afternoon Bridge-O-Rama will be having their final awards luncheon on" Thursday' May 7, at 12:30 p.m., in The Beacon Restaurant, Kale Island, Syracuse. Members need to contact Clara Warner. 457-3465, or Betty Deahl, 457-2082, no later than Thursday. April 30, for reservations.

Bl J r ’ ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED — Mr. and. Mrs. George Ketcham. 601 S. Oak St., Syracuse, and Gerald McDonald, Michigan City, announce the engagement of their daughter. Sherry Mae McDonald, to Allen N. Jeckert. The bridegroom-elect is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen D. Jeckert, Lyndhurst, N.J. The bride-elect is a 1986 graduate of Wawasee High School and employed with Royal Imprint, Ligonier. The bridegroom-elect is a 1982 graduate of Lyndhurst High School, Lyndhurst, N.J. and employed with Starcraft RV. Topeka. The couple is planning a May 9 wedding in Richville United - Methodist Church, Ligonier. VFW Auxiliary to hold bake sale For further information, call Jill Stover, Enchanted Hills Playhouse Producing Director at 773-3747 or write Enchanted Hills Playhouse, PO Box 41, Syracuse. 1nd.46567.

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employee at the North Webster Schools his many talents are put to good use. He’s shown here leaning against the wall that contains one of his murals. (Photo by Carla Gaffl helped him achieve his goal of building his own house. He state^tjwi t his father helped him a lot, and basically the two of them did the worth For'Lynn Gray the future may be a treasure at the end of the rain* bow, a irouse that talks, or even a whale thaFsays school is “a whale of'a good place." ‘-'•Up just planning to keep up with my writing and art work," commentedxlray. “and as for jobs. I’m going to stayr+ght here. I have a lot of time to think about creative ideas while I clearhand that works out real good. " \

Round Table talent hobby night held

The Syracuse Ladies of the Round Table had a talent and hobby night on April 13, for their monthly meeting. The club members met in the home of Anna Chance, North Webster. Hobbies and talents for the club members ranged from quilting. bears, knitting, collec- ’ ting dolls, puzzles, pictures, weaving, mac Tame, embroidery, ceramics and music. Paula Markley gave a special reading and was the "funny girl" of the group. Karel Neff conducted the C of C luncheon to be held Moy 6 The Syraeuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Luncheon will be Wednesday. May 6, at 12 noon, in Gropp’s Famous Fish of Stroh, SR 13S, Syracuse. All chamber members and other interested individuals are invited to attend. The speaker at the luncheon will be a representative of United Telephone Company to discuss the 911 Emergency number, local measured service and switching. There is a cost for the luncheon. To make reservations or for further information contact the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce office by Friday, May l.at 457-5637.

business meeting in which Lera [tinker was accepted as a member. Hostesses were Kay Neff. Mrs. Markley and Mrs. Chance. The next meeting will be a spring party at Gropp’s Famous Fish of Stroh, Syracuse, on May 11. Mobile Meals drivers Volunteer drivers for Syracuse Mobile Meals have been scheduled for the week of April 27-May 1. They are as follows: April 27- May 1 MONDAY — Donna Wolfe TUESDAY — Mary Jane and Ken Bowton, WEDNESDAY — David Maish THURSDAY - Gran and Ginny Godley FRIDAY-Betty Kline ~ £ F ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED — Mr. and Mrs. Michael Huey, r 3 box 210 C, Syracuse, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kari to Greg Freyburgher. son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Freyburgher, Portland. The couple is planning an August 15 wedding. The bride-elect is a 1986 graduate of' Wawasee High School and a freshman at Ball State University, Muncie, where she is majoring in psychology. The bridegroom-elect is a 1984 graduate of Jay County High School and is a junior at .Ball State University. He is accounting major. Prune roses when buds swell Don't prime hybrid tea roses> until thejeuds begin to swell. Re ) tain four to eight healthy canes per plant, cutting them back to 12 to 15 inches.

OPEN HOUSE PLANNED — An open house on Sunday, April 26, in Ligonier United Methodist Church Social Room, is planned to honor Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hayes, r 2 box 63, Ligonier, for their 50th wedding anniversary. The open house, hosted by their children, will be from 2-4 p.m. — Hayes and his wife, Helen, were married on April 27, 1937, in Marshall, 111., by Rev. H. W. Hodgens. He is a retired high school teacher and taugfft commercial subjects in Huntington, Bremen and West Noble School Corporations for 42 years before retiring in June 1980. She is a homemaker. The couple belongs io the Ligonier United- Methodist Church. Eastern Star, Indiana Retired Teacher’.s Association and the American Association of Retired Persons. The couple has two sons. Robert Hayes, Churubusco, and John Hayes, Ligonier; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.’’

CALENDAR Week Os April 22 To April 29 WEDNESDAY n Alcoholics Anonymous Under 20 Group 7 p.m., in Syracuse Scout Cabin, closed meeting Syracuse Fire Department Regular Meeting 7 p.m.. in the fire station Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 p.m., in Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse Alanon 7:30 p.m.. in Saint Andrew's United Methodist Church, Syracuse . THURSDAY Wawasee Community Toughlove 7 p.m., in Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse. Parent support .... group for parents troubled by their teenager's behavior. North Webster Lions Club 7 p.m.. in Don and Dee’s Family Restaurant Kappa Omicron Chapter. Beta Sigma Phi Sorority 7:30 p.m. -11/’ Lakeside VFW Post 1342 Syracuse 8 p.m., in the Post FRIDAY Milford Kiwanis 6:45 a.m.. in Milford Community Building Alcoholics Anonymous Carl Sheperd Memorial Group 7:30 p.m.. irr Episcopal Retreat House. South Shore Dr.. Lake Wawasee, Syracuse. Open meeting. * Heart Os Lakes Squares 8-10:30 p.m.. in Syracuse Elementary SATURDAY Waw asee Kiwanis k \ z 7a m., in Gropp’s Syracuse '''vSlzz'' SUNDAY Alcoholics Anonymous Fireball Group 10 a.m .in North Webster Fire Station. Open meeting Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday Night Recovery Group 8 p.m., in North Webster United Methodist Church. Closed meeting. Alanon Sunday Night Group 8 p.m., in North Webster United Methodist Church. Closed meeting. MONDAY Lakeland Kiwanis 6:45 a.m., in North Webster Church of God Wawasee Toughlove 7 p.m., in Syracuse Town Hall. Parent support group for parents troubled by their teenagers behavior. ' . Syracuse SesquicentenniaPMeeting 7:30p.m., in Syracuse Scout Cabin Alanon Milford Family Group 7:30p.m., in Milford United Methodist Church Alcoholics Anonymous, Milford Group 7:30 p.m., in Milford United Methodist Church. Closed meeting. Alcoholics Anonymous North Webster Group 7:30 p.m., in North Webster United Methodist Church FOE Men’s Meeting, Aerie 3760 7 p.mV, in Lakeland Eagles, 404 Sycamore St.. Syracuse Columbian Reading 7:30p.m. Milford Jayceettes 7:30p.m., in the Jaycee Clubhouse TUESDAY Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary ' SfTJfSR 12 noon, in Beacon Restaurant _ Adult Children of Alcoholics 6:30 p.m., in North Webster United Methodist Church basement Wawasee American Legion Auxiliary 223 ■- 7:30 p.m., in the Legion Hall WEDNESDAY Alcoholics Anonymous Under 20 Group 7 p.m., in Syracuse Scout Cabin, closed meeting Eagles Auxiliary Meeting Aerie 3760 7 p.m., in Lakeland Eagles. 404 Sycamore St . Syracuse North Webster Park Board 7 p.m., in the North Webster Town Hall/Fire Station Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 p.m., in Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive. Lake Wawasee. Syracuse Alanon 7:30 p.m.,* in Saint Andrew s United Methodist Church. | Syracuse