The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 24, Milford, Kosciusko County, 29 July 1987 — Page 4

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., July 29,1987

Editorial

Two-school pion expensive, unwise It’s not at all surprising that this newspaper would receive a letter to the editor from WawaSee Superintendent Roger W. Thornton, only a few short hours after ouK“Curtain of Silence” editorial last week. \ We agree with the Citizens for Quality Education, that the issue of how to handle our controversial middle school problem in the Wawasee School Corporation is far from settled, and one that deserves further study. Perhaps the superintendent’s response can contribute to this discussion — and certainly the subject should be open to maximum public input. We feel our editorial, that charged there is a curtain of silence among school personnel, will stand up to close scrutiny, for in preparing the case for our decision to support “home town” middle schools, we ran into a stony wall of silence. Whether this is a mandated policy of the school board and the superintendent lends to a moot discussion; the resulting silence is the same, and bodes ill to settle the problem by the widest possible public discussion. We know for a fact that many who are employed in the school corporation — people who should be on the cutting edge of such a major and far-reaching decision — are dead set against building two new junior high schools in the country, but are afraid to openly discuss their positions. Even a past school board member refrains front open idiscussion of the school issue for fear of reprisal against a family member positioned high in the school corporation hierarchy. Central to the issue is what is best for the students and communities involved and what we as a school corporation can afford. It greatly disturbs us that the superintendent’s plan would vacate a good share of the Milford school, a facility that went through a $4.5 million expansion only six short years ago, and that the cost of the proposed two new schools has not been fully delineated for the taxpayers’ consideration. Dr. Thornton’s letter to the editor states only that building two middle schools in the country “would cost about $1 million more than building a middle school for Syracuse and a middle school for North Webster.” The superintendent’s letter neglects to mention that cost of upkeep at a rural location, items like water and sewer, insurance and transportation would be considerably more, and that protection for the grounds and buildings and for the health and safety of the children would not be as available as it is at hometown locations. Immediately comes to mind the words of the late Everett Dirkson, US Senator from Illinois, while commenting on the national budget: “A million here ... a million there . . . and pretty soon we’re talking real money.” No one has convinced the majority of the taxpayers of the school corporation that “bigger is better,” especially when we see bright students coming out of the smaller schools. The Wa-Nee School Corporation in our close proximity has elected to keep its junior high schools in the home communities, and thus provide what it must consider better educational opportunities for the youngsters and utilize plants already in existence. Ask taxpayers of that school corporation if they are being shortchanged by this sensible policy. The Mail-Journal has been a strong supporter of <|he School Corporation and its ongoing activities, and we plan to continue this policy. Perhaps this is one reason we fail to see an overload of debt for the taxpayers of the corporation for many years longer than the tenure of the present superintendent and school board can be a good thing. This important discussion is of wide local concern. We feel the superintendent and school board should have the direct input of the taxpayers of the school corporation — either for the point of view of Citizens for Quality Education for local schools or for the superintendent’s point of view for a larger, more expensive system in the country. With that, we suggest that you as parents, teachers and taxpayers voice your thoughts either directly by phone or in person to the superintendent and each school board member, or through letters to the editor to this publication. This is away of assisting the board in reaching a position consistent with the wishes of those who will be asked to pay the bill. — A.E.B. The fair: A positive note The 1987 Kosciusko County fair will get underway on Saturday with many positive things added to this year’s event. Two years ago a number of citizens in the county and this newspaper took the fair board to task, seeking needed improvements. Some were made last year. More are being made this year. For the first time in the history of the fair, Kosciusko County will have a representative in the State Fair Queen contest. A queen will be crowned on Saturday night during competition to be held in the Warsaw Community High • School’s auditorium and will then participate in the state contest. A new ride company was hired for last year’s fair. This was a big improvement over past amusement companies. The Pugh Shows will return for next week’s event. The cheerleader contest, started last year, has been improved upon and promises to be a highlight of this year’s fair. Atlanta and Bonnie Nelson will be among the grandstand attractions. Both should pull large crowds. So should the events slated to take place at the activities tent. These include clowns, special music, dancers, an old time fiddle contest and much more. It may not be perfect, but we think the 1987 Kosciusko County Fair will be an improved fair with something for everyone.

Court news

City Court The following fines have been levied aricf paid in the Goshen City Court: Speeding — Cynthia A. Pergrem, 39, Syracuse, $63; Connie J. Bachota, 31, Milford, $73 False and fictitious registration — Terry E. Powell, 23, Milford, dismissed Failure to yield right of way—- — D. Miller, 43, Syracuse, $63 Unsafe lane movement — Cindy L. Jordan, 26, Milford, $63 County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court, Judge James Jarrette presiding: Failure to have USGG approved personal floation devices — Jason P. Davidson, 17, Leesburg, S6O. Operating after legal sunset without white light — Robert K. Jennings, 43, Syracuse. S6O. Illegal consumption — Paying SB9 were:Dawn Elaine Poehler, 18, Leesburg; Lisa Lorraine Pedersen, 20, Syracuse. Operating motqr vehicle while intoxicated — Marla Hernandez, Milford, $2Bl, license suspended 1 year, 1 year KCJ suspended, 1 year probation, 4 days KCJ, restitution. Public intoxication — Marla Hernandez, Milford, $39 costs on iy Minor in tavern — Lisa Lorraine Pedersen, 20, Syracuse, SB9. Leaving scene of property damage accident — Marla Jler nandez, Milford, $146.50. Never having driver’s license — Marla Hernandez, Milford, $46.50 costs only. County Court Goshen Division The following fines plus court costs have levied and paid in Elkhart County Court. Goshen Division: Speeding' — Tracy A. Stump, 21, Milfon£ss9xCasey J. Call, 25, Syracuse, $52.5d;. Darlene L. Phillips, 43, Syracuse, SSB Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Stocklin — Rhonda Jo Stocklin, 213 Brooklyn St., Syracuse, and Gregory Lee Stocklin, P O. Box 603, Syracuse. The couple was married Aug. 17, 1985, and separated July 6, 1987 There is one minor child. Byrd — David Byrd, r 3 box 665, Syracuse, and Judith A Byrd, Goshen. The couple was married Feb. 24, 1984, and separated March 1,1986. Teeple — Cynthia L. Teeple, no address given, and Ray Alan Teeple, r 2 box 164, Milford. The couple was married Aug 2,1980, and separated March 28,1987. Circuit Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Richard Sand presiding: Complaint Bank One, Akron, N.A versus John Umbaugh, r 3 box 590, Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $9,484.91 plus interest to date of judgment, attorney’s fees and all costs of action Complaint Freda Reed versus Richard Workman, 72738 CR 35, Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $2,380 plus air costs of action on a lease agreement. Complaint Brenda J. Neeley, by her next friend Joy L. Neeley, and Joy L. Neeley individually, versus Steve B. Garner, Andrews. The plaintiffs are seeking judgment against the defendant in a suit venued from Huntington Circuit Court. The plaintiffs are seeking judgment in an amount reasonable to compensate for damages and injuries incurred in an automobile accident Oct. 20, 1986. Reciprocal Support Connie L. Morrow versus Michael O. Morrow, address unknown, for support of minor children. THE MAIL-JOURNAL (U.S.P.S. 3258 4000) Published by the Mail Journal every Wednesday and entered as Second Class matter at the Post Oftice at Syracuse, Indiana 46567 Second class postage paid at 103 E Main Street, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 and at additional entry offices Subscription 516 per year Id Kosciusko County; $22 outside county POSTMASTERS Send change of ad dress forms to The Mail Journal, PO Box 188, Milford, Indiana 46542

Superior Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Superiors Court, Judge Robert Burner presiding: Complaint For Damages Kari L. Zollinger; Amber R. Zollinger by next friend Kari L. Zollinger; and Nathan S. Zollinger by next friend Kristi L. Zollinger versus Harold B. Short and Earl D. Short, P.O. Box 593, Cromwell. The plaintiffs are seeking judgment against the defendants for an amount sufficient to compensate for damages, injuries and expenses incurred in an automobile accident July 19, 1985. Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Debbie Skaggs, r ? box 139, North Webster. The plaintiff is seeking $407.64 plus interest to date of judgment, attorney’s fees and all costs of action. Complaint On Promissory Note State Bank of Syracuse versus Anthony Timmons, SR 15, Milford. The plaintiff is seeking $610.79 plus interest to date of judgment, attorney’s fees and all costs of action. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Bobbie Slone, 2005 E. Jefferson, Warsaw. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant in the amount of $453.59 plus all costs of action. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Terry L. Miller, r 4 lot 67, Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant in the amount of $647.21 plus all / costs of action. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Robert K. Stienbarger, 111 Pigeon Rd., Ligonier. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant in the amount of $884.45 plus all costs of action. Complaint Augsburger’s Super Valu versus Bonnie Peck. 112>2 S. Huntington, Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $284.91 plus all costs of action. Complaint Second National Bank of Saginaw versus Raymond R. Schuster, r 2 box 218, Syracuse. The plaintiff is seeking judgment against the defendant for the sum of $3,857.27 plus interest to date of judgment, attorney’s fees and all costs of action. Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick : Gingerich-Day Gary L Gingerich, 38, 242 Portland St., Syracuse, and Melanie Ann Day, 25, 242 Portland St., Syracuse Yates-Beaver Russell Lee Yates, 22, P.O. Box 849, Cromwell, and Rebecca Jane Beaver, 17, r 1 box 150, Cromwell Weber-Renier Gary Lee Weber, 28, r 4 box 66, Syracuse, and Lisa Claudette Renier, 28, r 4 box 66, Syracuse Overmyer-Pritchard Brad Allison Overmyer, 21, r 1 box 600, North Webster, and Beth Ann Pritchard, 23, Indianapolis Reed-Bohnstedt Benjamin Chet Reed, 22, P.O. Box 274, Syracuse, and Sharon Kay Bohnstedt, 22, P.O. Box 327, Milford Seaman-Seaman Paul E. Seaman, 57, Farinington, Conn., and Sylvia B. Seaman, 56, r 1 box 110, North Webster Charlton-Knafel ' Clark Edward Charlton, 21, P.O. Box 183, Leesburg, and Karla Kay Knafel, 24, P.O. Box 183, Leesburg Bornman-Bouse Christopher Stephen Bornman, 24, r 1, Cromwell, and Nimia Elcira Bouse, 40, P.O. Box 525, Mentone Beeman-Robertson Gregory Allen Beeman, 22, 20248 US 6, Milford, and Loretta Ellen Robertson, 19, 20248 US 6, Milford Gardner-Horman Bernard Dean Gardner, 33, r 2 box 33, Milford, and Patricia Marie Horman, 33, r 3 box 510, Syracuse Grim-Shaw Earl Wayne Grim, 61, r 1 box 341, North Webster, and Delores Eloise Shaw, 61, Leesburg Wagoner-Elliott Matthew Leßoy Wagoner, 24, r 3 box 585, Leesburg, and Terri Kim Elliott, 30, r 3 box 585, Leesburg To open bids on Milford street project . The Indiana Department, of Highways will be opening sealed bids on 56 contracts next Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. at the Embassy Suites, 110 West Washington Street, Indianapolis. Official action on the contracts will follow on Friday, Aug. 7. The project in Kosciusko County to be considered is Contract R-17100: Road reconstruction including bituminous surface, binder and base on Syracuse Street in the town of Milford.

"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE”

!□! H’SJ.ss’S*'g 1

ANYONE WHO has traveled past the busy comer of Highways 6 and 13 north of Syracuse surely has noticed the clean-up job there. They’ll be interested to know it was the handiwork of the 50-member Hex Grange, Stanley Nicolai, Master. Millie Ginger, manager of the State Bank of Syracuse branch in the Village and a longtime Hex Grange member, said when they began the clean-up project, “it looked like it was 20 acres.” The group took on a man-sized job to clean up the northeast corner, plant flowers, trim bushes, put out trash barrels, and erect a large “Happy Birthday, Syracuse” sign for the community’s sesquicentennial celebration. Nice going folks. The community is proud of this endeavor. —O—GENE AND Corinne Ludwig have sold their North Webster home and are renting a condo in the Syracuse area. Corinne, longtime office manager at Pacific Molasses, has announced her retirement as of September 1, at which time the Ludwigs plan to move to Port Charlotte, Florida, where they have purchased a new home. Gene was manager of the Syracuse firm where Corinne works for a number of years when it was known as Vylactos Laboratories. When an illness forced him to retire, Corinne took over that management position. A PERSONAL note from Emery L. Druckamiller of Angola expresses his thanks to the Syracuse community for the warm reception he received while in the sesquicentennial parade on Saturday, July 11. He wrote, “I wish to thank you folks for having me in the parade. That was the only honor I have from Syracuse. I was so pleased that so many people remembered me. Even a great many people applauded when we went by. I was sorry Cal Beck couldnit be there.” Emery was on the Syracuse basketball team when it piled up its enviable record in the mid-1920s —a fact covered by this column several times previously. —o— PETE AND Lenore Blue of Vero Beach. Fla., spent a brief stay with the Eldon Ummels on r 4, and left Friday morning for Ohio where they planned to visit friends prior to returning to Florida. Their stay here gave them an opportunity to visit with their friends. —o— THIS WRITER could not turn down an invitation by Herschel Wells, owner with wife Charlotte of Gropp’s Famous Fish of Stroh, to make a quick tour of their home on east Medusa Street, called by some "The Fort,” others "The Citadel.” We considered ourselves only one of many whodiave questions about this unusual home. Wells remembers that the house, with its turret tower and surrounding water reminding one of an ancient castle moat, was conceived by Chet and Carol Elder. The Wellses purchased the unfinished home and remodeled it into what it is today. ” The Wellses are substantial business people in the community. They built the Kentucky Fried Chicken on South Huntington St. and now own and operate their Famous Fish of Stroh outlet. They continue to own a KFC and Hardee’s in Kendallville. Herschel has nine apartments in a small complex back of the local KFC, and has plans of building several iriore. MEMBERS OF the Heart of Lakes Squares, a 20-member square dance club made up of devotees of this area, are mighty proud of the fact that their float won first place in the open class category in the Elkhart County 4-H Fair parade on Sunday, July 26, to receive a handsome trophy. They’ll be remembered for having participated in the recent Syracuse sesquicentennial parade where they won second place for a trophy, and in the North Webster Mermaid Festival parade where they also won a second place for a trophy and SSO. Jeri DeLaCruz, of J.A. Business, is a spokesman for the club, of which “Butch” Plikerd is president. CLAYTON J. MOCK, 712 North Huntington St., a longtime teacher and Church of the Brethren minister, was taken with a photo we ran in our July 22 issue of the “smallest post office in the United States” — and submitted the following article for our edification. Mock was past president of the Kosciusko County Retired Teachers’ Assn. His teaching experience of some 33 years includes one-room schools in Wisconsin and Indiana. His article follows: The Mail-Journal of July 22 displayed on page 5 an old time picture of this early post office on the north shore of Lake Wawasee near the once popular Sargent Hotel. This picture included seven citizens of the day. Be of interest to know who they were. The Mall-Journal wondered about the exact site of this early tiny post office that was not too much larger than a

“rest room” of past history with the crescent shaped moon on its door. I did a bit of inquiring last Friday visiting Charles Beck, a very seasoned citizen of the Wawasee area. It is so interesting to talk with people that know something about our local history. Ronald Sharp and Waldo Adams would be interesting historians to contact as well. On Saturday I visited our library with its very good library attendants. Mrs. Jones found two books on early history of Syracuse and Wawasee Lakes written by Eli Lily and Scott A. Edgell, “Early Wawasee Days” and “Seiches of Lake Wawasee”. Anyone fond of local history should read these two books. Beck and Lily both believe John C. Ri.ter was the first postmaster and Mrs. Jess Sargent was the second, with Sargent's daughter the third. Likely the post office picture in The MailJournal was the second since the first one was part of Jess Sargent’s hotel addition. I hater make clear that this hotel and post office was not so far distant from the Spinks Hotel, later the Catholic Seminary. In Eli Lily’s book I found several interesting thoughts about the Sargents. The Sargents came to the shores of the “Big Lake” in 1899. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sargent were very respected citizens of Wawasee. This second post office was closed in 1950, according to Lily’s account. I found the Sargent Hotel sign to be shown in the new museum, an addition to our present library, in a barn along the county line road just east of the Smith-Walbridge Camp when we retired teachers of the county were planning the old two-room school now located just south of North Webster, a part of Fred Clark’s pioneer village. I took this large sized sign home and thought it a very good early keepsake. Three cheers or more for the grand idea of a Syracuse Museum! A needed addition to the “College of Book Learning”! WHILE IN an inventive mood, I had another idea, prompted by a visit to my neighborhood service station to have the oil changed in my automobile. As with most stations, mine has a complicated hydraulic device to raise the heavy car from the floor so the service*man can perform his deeds from underneath the vehicle. Goodness only knows how much these hydraulic machines must cost! Also, it occurs that there is the possibility that something could go wrong, and the auto could come down atop the service man with disastrous results. My invention is so simple it boggles the mind. It consists of a pit —a simple hole in the ground, over which the car is driven. The pit is deep enough for a tall man to perform his work. If the service man is not tall, a box is provided for him to stand on. At the end of the pit are a few steps for easy access to the work area. Think of the expense this would save! Also, there is a great safety factor. I’m sure that OSHA would approve, and insurance liability cost would be greatly reduced. Old fashioned, you say. You bet it is. — Contributed. A GROUP of Syracuse area residents are spending nearly two weeks at Pine Bend. Minnesota, 70 miles north of Deer Lake, to assist in building a church for a Chippewa Indian settlement. They were scheduled to leave early this week with a contingent of the Elkhart District Family Work Camp, and to return home August 7. Making the sojourn were Edith and Milton Brice, Janet and Richard Davis, Elva and Jim Hershberger, Norma and Paul Rush, Joan and Rev. Lewis Hathaway, and Jerry Wright. ONE OF our self-described “avid readers" (we thought all along we had one!) turned up with the following glossary on senior citizens with the comment that “we old folks are constantly put down” and offered the following as proof that all is not lost with a little age under one’s belt: At age 80, Samuel Whittemore of Arlington, MA, killed three British soldiers during the Revolutionary War. He was bayoneted and left for dead, but soon recovered and lived to be 98. Will Durant finished his five-volume History of Civilization when he was 89. Pablo Picasso was drawing and engraving at-age9o. . Michelangelo designed the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli when he was 88. Vladimir Horowitz returned to Leningrad at age 81 after a 61 year absence to perform two concerts. Lawrence Ames, a retired United States Army general, celebrated his 80th birthday by riding the "skeleton,” a toboggan ride on Weequarters of a mile of solid ice, in St. Moritz. Switzerland. Verdi composed Falstaff. one of his greatest operas, at 80. SEEN FRIDAY morning in front of the Syracuse Case: A beautiful motorcycle with two crutches tied on the back. Does that tell you anything?