The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 17, Milford, Kosciusko County, 10 June 1987 — Page 2

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., June 10,1987

Syracuse attorney involved with national-interest case

IBv MARK HUFFMAN Staff Writer Dr. Kenneth Taylor, a Staten Island, N.Y., dentist savagely murdered his wife in November, 1984, leaving his five-month-old son, Philip, an orphan after being sentenced to 30-yearsin prison. Three years later, a court battle over the custody of Philip has drawn national attention, with Syracuse attorney Richard Green having taken part in the endless scenario. The body of Teresa Taylor, a 25-year-old New Dorp, N J., native was found at a roadside near Hawk Mountain Pa. Nov. 11, 1984, after she had been bludgeoned and wrapped in a sleeping bag. After a prolonged trial, Dr. Taylor was found guilty, despite his claims that he found his wife sexually abusing their infant son while high on cocaine. Mr. and Mrs Everett Taylor,.parents

To honor oldest resdients

ißy DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer The oldest living residents of Syracuse and volunteers are being sought by the Syracuse Sesquicentennial Committee. The search for the oldest living residents of Syracuse is being conducted so these persons may be recognized during the ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, July 3. Volunteers are needed to sell souvenirs, be curators and pick up items for the museum. Persons are asked to contact the temporary chamber of commerce office at J. A. Business with names of the town’s senior citizens. A special recognition of these residents will be made on Friday, July 3. Concerning the volunteers, Bill Beemer, chairman, stated the souvenir stand is almost ready for use. He will be contacting the owner of the old Chevrolet building on SR 13, to see if the celebration headquarters and souvenirs could be placed there instead of using a display trailer. Either way, there will be a central location for selling souvenirs and all that is needed is someone to staff it. Jeanne Gardiner stated the museum is almost completely staffed, due to the efforts of the Ladies of the Round Table. There are several days where curators will be needed either from 9 a m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. She also stated volunteers are needed to pick-up items which have already been donated or loaned to the museum. Mrs. Gardiner urged anyone with items for the museum, whether they are donated or loaned to the committee during the celebration, contact her at State

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Bank of Syracuse. There is still room for a large number of items. She provided the committee with a disclaimer concerning the items placed in the museum for persons to “sign-off'' when the items are turned over. It was mentioned J.A. Business, where the museum will be located, has liability insurance. Entries Needed Deb Patterson, parades chairwoman, reminded everyone parade entries for the Kiddie Parade and Main Parade are due Thursday, June 11. however, no one will be turned away. The entries are wanted to ensure enough awards for all participants in each parade. She announced there was 52 entries for the Main Parade and four for the Kiddie Parade already received, with more being received daily. She also announced Chris Schenkel regretfully stepped down as master of ceremonies for the parade, as he may be out of town that day. Chris Roberts. WOWO personality, will be contacted to see if he would be MC. Rosalyn Jones, street decorations chairwoman, announced the committee has gone over its goal to sell $3,000 worth of bunting and will conclude its part of the sales on Thursday. Old Glory Decorators .will be contacting those businesses missed or who had initially/ declined to participate duping the week of June 22. / , She noted the committee will receive 20 percent of the total bunting sales to be used towards pole decorations. Also home owners wishing to have the bunting may do so at a reduced price and are asked to contact her at the Syracuse Public Library by Thursday, June .11. Jerry Wright, executive committee member and Syracuse Jaycee member, reported briefly on the family contests and yen dors in the absence of those com mittee chairmen. The Jaycees

of Kenneth, support their son’s claim and have been entangled in a legal battle with Philip’s maternal aunt and uncle, Jefferson and Celeste Benignio-White, who were given custody of the the infant by a New Jersey court in 1985. In the battle that featured religious and regional hostilities, the Taylors, who are in their 60s and live in a subdivision north of Marion. adopted Philip in Grant County last year. The Whites challenged the adoption, which the Taylors have appealed, noting that the adoption was invalid because the New Jersey court exercised its jurisdiction in the case before the Indiana court granted the adoption. Superior Court Judge Walter Gehricke, who signed the custody agreement for the Whites, ordered the Taylors back to New Jersey and found them in contempt of court when they failed to appeal. The Marion couple was arrested last September for violating the court order, although their lawyer contended that New Jersey courts do not have the power to force the child to be returned to the toddler’s aunt and uncle Despite his objections, Philip now lives with the Whites and the battle rages on.

are undertaking these two areas. Concerning the vendors, both food and non-food stands. Wright stated applications are coming in slowly, Mrs. Patterson announced the Historical Home Tour tickets will be available at Leisure Pools. Oakwood Hotel. State Bank of Syracuse and Village Hair Trends prior to the July 12 event for $2 and $3 on the day of the event at the 12 sites On the home tour will be: Church of God, Syracuse United Pentecostal. Wawasee Community Church of the Nazarene, Grace Lutheran. Church of the Brethren, Oakwood Hotel, Anchor Inn, Grandma's House,Ttoger Smith House. First Charter Building and Ken Oswald home. In the absence of a queen committee member. Mrs. Patterson, stated there are approximately 20 women showing positive interest in the event, with only two official entries being received. The deadline for entering the pageant is Saturday, June 13. Other Business Mrs. Gardiner was contacted by Don Kennedy. Quaker Haven Camp, who has 55 campers available for several hours Tuesday and Wednesday and asked if there was any way the committee could use them. Several suggestions were made, including trash

Rally for Chris Jordan

A High School USA Memorial Rally for Chris Jordan will be held at.Wawasee High School on Sunday, June 14. at 2 p.m in the WHS auditorium Everyone is.invited to attend — students, parents, faculty and community members. A memorial scholarship fund is being established for Jordan The award will be given annually to

pick-up along SR 13 from one end of the city limits to the other and along Pickwick Road. Mrs. Gapdiner was asked to contact Kennedy to see if campers would be available at oilier times, as it was short notice to come up with a definite project. It was noted, however, to mention the trash pick-up and if they did, the committee would replace the garbage bags they used. Barb VanLue announced the plaque for Samuel Crosson’s grave has been ordered and representatives of the Lions Club, Ladies of the Round Table and Jack Elam will be planning the ceremony for the dedication. She indicated there is a desire to have Naomi McFarland, a former resident and member of the Ladies of the Round Table, return for the ceremony to sing "Syracuse,” •which she wrote for the celebration. Beemer announced two bands will participate in the concert Friday, July 10, at 2:30 p.m., at Smith-Walbridge Camp. Among the numbers to be played will be the “Wawasee W’altz,” The committee will be meeting every Monday evening at 7:30 p.m.. through July 6, in the Syracuse Scout Cabin. All committee members and interested persons are urged to attend these meetings.

an outstanding senior art student at Wawasee High School; Those who want to participate should sent checks to Wawasee High School c/o Christopher Jordan Art Fund. It is hoped enough funds, will be received to start a trust whereby the scholarship can be given annually. Strawberry Festival in Warsaw The Warsaw Merchants Association is having a Strawberry Festival on Saturday, June 13. from 11 am. to 6 p.m., in downtow n Warsaw on the courthouse lawn. There will be strawberry shortcake. ice cream, games, entertainment and other activities Tor the whole family. The public is in- • vited to attend Regional Sewer District to hold meetings V; Logan Love, secretary of the Turker Creek Regional Sewer District, announces that the board of trustees of the Turkey Creek Regional Sewer District will hold regular public business meetings. The meetings will be held at 7:30 p m. on the second Monday of each month in the town board meeting room at Syracuse Town Hall, 500 South Huntington Street, Syracuse.

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Green, who also practices law in Marion, was called by the White’s attorney, Janice Miller of New Jersey, who asked him to provide counsel in Indiana, where the Taylors reside. Claiming that the Marion press has been “extremely biased’’ towards the Whites, Green states, ‘Tve met with the Whites, they ’re just a young couple raising a family and doing what they think is right.” He adds, “The Marion press is ignoring the facts as they exist, they even did a sartorial editorial describing New Jersey newspaper accounts of the case entitled, ‘An Easterner’s View’.” . 1 Dr. Taylor, who had been accused of beating previous wives, appealed his murder charge but was denied last week, while his parents voluntarily turned themselves into the New Jersey Superior Court, where they encountered criminal charges for interfering with a custody order. The Taylor’s lawyer, who helped with the adoption in Indiana, also committed questionable acts, although there have

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MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL. CLASS OF 1962 — Marking the 25th anniversary since graduating from high school are these members of the class of 1962. Seated, left to right, are Sandra (Knepper) Ganger, Ann (Schlotterback) Brooks, Linda (Money heffer) Miller, Corinne (Morehouse)

Jazz band entertains Milford Alumni

The Milford Junior High School gymnasium “jumped to the beat" of the Wawasee High School Jazz Ensemble Band Saturday evening, June 6, as the lead entertainment for the 63rd annual Milford High School Alumni Banquet. A social hour was held prior to the catered dinner. Walter Steffen gave the invocation before the meal Dan Brown, chairman for his second year, led a brief business meeting before the 184 alumni in attendance. Dorothea (Groves) Kerlin and Bob Groves, brother and sister, were recognized for graduating 70 years ago and 60 years ago, respectively. Mrs. Kerlin is a member of the class of 1917 and Groves, a member of the class of 1927. Ted Baumgartner was also acknowledged for attending every alumni banquet since his graduation 63 years ago with the class of 1924. He is the only alumnus to have attended all Milford High School alumni banquets. Classes Receive Recognition Bob Bushong, retired teacher and coach and president of the class of 1937, was spokesman for the 50-year class. Bushong said there were 29 students who graduated from his class and 16 attended the evening's festivities. Bushong invited classmate Neal Cory to comment on those deceased members of the qlgss. Cory read the.list which Roy Auer, Herbert Felkner, na (Ruch) Krantz, Ruth (Clauss) Neis and Mildred (Troup) Burgess. Ron Baumgartner, president of the class of 1962, introduced the

17 class members who were observing their 25 years since graduating from * Milford High School, Baumgartner reminisced about school and community events that occurred during the 1961-62 school year, drawing on the old Milford Mail files for news clippings. The Wawasee High School Jazz Band Ensemble, under the direction of David Blackwell, closed out the evening with a selection of

Syracuse merchants elect officers

I By CARLA GAFF Staff Writer The election of new officers was the major consideration of the Syracuse Merchants during their Friday, June 5, meeting Officers are: Donna Conder, president; Robert Pilcher, vice president; Jeanne Gardiner, treasurer; and Carol Wallace, secretary. New officers will take their positions on July 1. Announcement of the Chamber Dinner was made during the meeting. It was noted that the Coast Guard Auxiliary offering boating classes The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering two short three-lesson course on Boating Safety at Southeast Bay Marina, Lake Wawasee This is open to ages 10 and up. The first course will start on Tuesday, June 16, and end Thursday, June 18. The courses will be from 7-9:30 p.m. The second course will start on Tuesday, July 14, and end on Thursday, July 16. The times will be from 7-9:30 p.m. Safe boating is no accident Take a safe boating course and help prevent an accident or renew your boating knowledge. For further information contact Sue at Wawasee Boat Company, 457-4404.

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been no actions brought against him. Green declined to comment on the Marion counsel, only stating, “The Taylors participated in all of the New Jersey court proceedings/and adopted Philip in Indiana while knowing that the Whites’ adoption was on file — that’s as blatant fraud on court as you can find. Green, who has been involved with the Indiana trial work, estimates he’s spent 200 hours on the case — which currently . stands in the appeals court. The case has all the makings of a movie, which a producer soon discovered after reading the various clips — including an eight-page article in the The New York Times Magazine. According to Green, a piece for the television show 60 s Minutes, which appears on CBS, is also “in the works” as the case continues. Hoping that some good comes out of the scenario, Green concludes, “The courts could amend some of the statutes involved to specifically refer to this case.” i ' SSi®

Walter, Mary (Hollar) Duncan, Mary Jane (Beer) Templin and Mary (Zimmerman) Gerber. Standing, left to right, are Bill Troup. Jerry Templin. Glen Price,Jr., Bob Brooks. Kenny Mathews, Max Rarick, Jerry Warstler, Rick Stump. Ron Baumgartner and Max Duncan.

big band and 1980 hits. The instrumental numbers ranged from “A Train’’ to themes from “Peter Gunn” and “Miami Vice.” Members of the planning committee for the 1988 banquet were announced as Dale and Glennis Stump, Robert and Linda Beer and Berniece Dwyer, as corresponding secretary. Volunteering from the floor to assist in next year’s planning were Neal and Arlene Cory and Randall and Gwendolyn Dewart.

dinner will be on June 17 at the advertising, he would like to see MaxWelton Golf Club and Lt. more spent on side-walk days Gov. John Mutz will be discuss- rather than dividing the amount ing tourism in Kosciusko County, evenly with the Cabin Fever sale The town clean-up, scheduled in February. He said. "If we to take place on June 27 was could put more of our eggs in one discussed. The group decided basket - I think we should go for that this would be a good oppor- side-walk days and not spend so tunity for merchants with store much on Cabin Fever. " fronts along SR 13 to dispose of location for winter mon . Hems. In this way, the parade ths meeting was examined by the route will be freshly cleaned. Merchants B It was remarked’ that In new busmess; Syracuse s Wawasee Hi gh School will be usupcommg side-walk days were ing the room for drug and alcohol considered, along with the need | future for the group to find a new locathe winter months. Jeanne Gardiner announced The possibility of having a joint the Syracuse chamber of Comventure for side walk days by merce wiU pursing the idea of combining Syracuse s sale with charnber checks. These should North Webster was talked over available at a later date, by the group. Though definite plans on this will be released at a The merchants will be meeting later date, it was stipulated that again on June 26 at 8 a.m. This is the sale could be on August 13,14. not their normal meeting time, and 15 this year. The date was changed due to the Bob Pilcher explained that for sesquicentennial celebration.

Sign contract for library needs

An architect’s contract for a feasibility study of the Syracuse Public Library’s present facilities, future needs, and so on. was discussed and signed at the June meeting of the Syracuse Library Board. The study will result in a suggested plan for increased space, as well as a cost estimate. It was reported the new Friends of the Library organization has recently met and is actively planning for a float in the

Chairman Brown paid tribute to the 1987 committee and their work: Nilah Brown, Jim and Margaret Brooks. Dennis and Nancy Newcomer and Berniece Dwyer. The evening ended with the singing of the Milford High School Fight Song, led by Henhy Schmucker, member of the class of 1950 and former cheerleader; the jazz band provided the accompaniment.

sesquicentennial parade. The organization is also planning a used book sale during the celebration week. Bonnie Bjella, children’s librarian, reported on a district library meeting in May in Valparaiso which she and Rosalyn Jones, librarian, attended. In addition to Charles Koser. president, and the two librarians, other’s present were: Jack Elam; Billie Rigdon; John Naab; Rev. David Hyndman; and Virginia Ditmer. Karen Tranter was absent. The next meeting will be MonJuly 6, at 5:15 p m., in the library. Honduras: Danger Ahead? For six years now the Reagan administration has been utilizing close relations with Honduras, Costa Rica, and El Salvador to support a covert war against the Marxist regime in Nicaragua.