The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 27, Milford, Kosciusko County, 19 August 1987 — Page 6

6

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., August 19, 1987

Community Corner

Westbound mail service from Syracuse to Nappanee in 10 minutes: Bushong

i. By CARLA GAF F' Staff Writer “Hurry up! and write that letter to grandma, jam it in the envelope and race it to the Syracuse Post Office, quickly now the trains a cornin'" Whew! you made it just in time for the mail messenger to throw it in the catcher pouch and the westbound passenger train to grab it into the mail car. In the 1940 s persons in the Syracuse.area could send mail to Nappanee and have it arrive within ten minutes after they finished writing it. This was done through mail-by-rail delivery, a method which Syracuse resident Avon Bushong remembers well. Profile Bushong became part of the postal service in 1946 and worked in many different areas of the department over a 34 year period. He was assistant post master for approximately 15 years and was the first postmaster to be chosen for the job on the merit system in the Syracuse area. “I made up a lot of those catcher pouches in the early days.'' explained Bushong. “The westbound passenger trains had mail cars in them where business was taken care of just like a small post office The employees were busy sorting mail and throwing it into pouches and off the train as they flew down the tracks. You'd put mail in from Syracuse and fly it down the tracks to Nappanee, and it would arrive within ten minutes. " He went on to explain that because the train was a passenger train it didn't stop in Syracuse, so you had to get the pouch picked up by the metal arm. But. if the arm missed the pouch or if the pouch slid off. the train didn't stop T -ve seen the mail ran over and cut up by the train, but the train never stopped.” said Bushong During the early .years of Bushong's service, the position of postmaster in most post offices, was a political one. F'or instance, if the county was a Republican county, most often Republican precinct committeepersons were appointed postmaster in each town

Carol Ann Thwaits marries John C. Ploetz

Carol Ann Thwaits and John Carl Ploetz were united in marriage in a candlelight ceremony Saturday, Aug. 8, in the New Paris Church, of the Brethren Rev. J. Earl Hostetter, former minister of the church, officiated at the ceremony. Larry Ploetz, brother of the bridegroom, gave a sermonette in memory of the bridegroom's father. Rev George Ploetz. The bride is the daughter of Lawrence and Doris Thwaits. 78 East Shore Dr.. Syracuse. The bridegroom is the son of VADM and Mrs. Shannon Cramer. Jr., and the late Rev. George Ploetz,

r V ■F ** ** f / < /I Sr MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. PLOETZ MARY ANN jgS DRIVE-IN / J AMERICAN FOOD j Call Syracuse 7 457-4322 EAT IN OR CARRY OUT WAWASEE VILLAGE SR 13S SYRACUSE

Gaithersburg, Md Jeff Ploetz. Newark. Ohio, nephew of the bridegroom and Chad Flory. Nappanee, cousin of the bride, were acolytes Pat Schrock. Millersburg, was organist; Patty Overholt. Tiffin. Ohio, sister Os the bride, flutist; .and Reed Juday. Wakarusa, vocalist. ' The bride wore a gown of White satin with the bodice featuring a Queen AfStie neckline with long satin and illusion sleeves and a band pearled drop waist. The skirt and train were adorned with satin ruffles and cut out lace of schiffli embroidery. Seed pearls

'llOiS i Mt ~ fW V 1 MOWING AS A HOBBY — Avon Bushong, former postmaster of Syracuse enjoys gardening and mowing the school grounds during the summer months. He's a lifetime Syracuse resident and remembers well the days of mail-by-rail. < Photo by < aria < Lift i

were accented throughout the gown. Her wreath styled head piece was of pearls and a finger tip illusion veil She carried a cascade bouquet centered with a Jappette orchid, surrounded with stephanotis. pink and white roses, mini carnations dnd baby s breath Marcy Bixler. Goshen, was maid of honor, and bridesmaids were Teena Peden. Fort Wayne Julie James. Hattiesburg. Miss Tammy Bezdon. Fort Wayne; and Ramona Hunsberger. Nap panee, cousin of the bride Jen nifer Thwaits, Syracuse, niece of the bride, was the flower girl and Adam Thwaits, Syracuse, nephew of the bride, was ring bearer. The bridal attendants wore long gowns of suede rose and daphne rose satin. The bodice featured schiffli embroidery, dyed to match, and full threefourths sleeves. The waistlines were defined by. a wide fabric sash. They carried nosegay bouquets of white and pink carnations. The flower girl wore a long, pink, organza gown featuring a ruffled bodice. She carried a white lace basket filled w ith pink and white rose petals. Jerry Lanier. Minneapolis. Minn, was best man Bridegroomsmen were Andy Fischer, Columbus, Ohio. Jeff James, Hattiesburg, Miss.: Rick Zimmerman. Rochester; and Darryl Hoover, West Lafayette Dr. James Thwaits, Syracuse, brother of the bride, and Rick Ploetz, Kansas City. Kan . brother of the bridegroom, were ushers. A buffet reception was held in the Holiday Inn. Goshen, follow ing the ceremony. Serving as hosts were Jack and Jeanette Cross, cousins of the bride. Music was provided by Sound Trak. Ser ving were Monica Garner, New Arms cost Despite economic problems, the nations of the world stepped up their spending on arms to nearly S9OO billion in 1985, an increase of 3.7 percent from the previous year, the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency estimated.

PSI

Paris;-Lynn Brown. New Paris. Kenlyn Graber. New Paris; and DianeGarber. Millersburg. . Following a wedding trip to < )cho Rios. Jamaica, the couple is now residing at 112 Waldron St . Apt 1. West Lafayette The bride, is a 1981 graduate ol Fairfield High School and will bi a senior at Purdue University. West Lafayette. majoring ill business Iler husband is a 1986 Magna Cum Lande graduate from Purdue I'niversity with a. degree in metalergic engineer ing He received -a 'master's degree in engineering in August and will be studying for a master’s degree in management at Purdue University. 9 »' r Jb • x? X ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED — Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Scheiber, Pier 65. Ogden Island. Syracuse, announce the engagement of their daughter. Joannie Kay, to David Glen Wert. The bridegroom-elect is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bloom, 71341 UR 33, Syracuse, and John Wert. Springdale, Ark. The bride-elect is a 1984 graduate of Wawasee High School and is employed by Computer Design Equipment, Inc., Syracuse. Her fiance is a 1983 graduate of Fairfield High School and is employed at Interior Wood working Corporation, New Paris. The couple is planning a June 18, 1988, wedding in St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church. Columbia City.

Bushong stated, “In those days the assistant postmaster actually ran the post office because they were the ones who had come up through the ranks and knew the business. And, of course, whenever political parties would change, the postmaster would change whereas the assistant would probably stay on.” When Bushong staffed with the post office, the facility was located on East Main Street. However, in 1954 the office moved to Huntington Street. The post office department leased the building on Huntington Street, though it had been specially built as a post office. Leo (Burt) Whitehead was postmaster at that time. In 1978 the present building was built on the north side of Syracuse. Bushong was postmaster at that time, and reported, “It took seven years to build the new office.” He explained it took a number of surveyors from a multitude of different areas to check out the area, papers had to be drawn up concerning the present rural routes, as well as speculations made on as to how much the area would be likely to grow. After that a committee was chosen to pick a site for the new office, which in itself was not an easy task. “They’d come down and look the area over and always wanted to put it here or there, where a farmer was unwilling to sell the land.” commented Bushong. “I don’t know how many times that happened, but it became a long drawn out process." “If I had it to do over again. I wouldn't do it. " he said. “I didn't get any more money for all the grief" Bushong was on the site selecting committee and was the driving force behind getting the new office, and he stated. “I just didn't want to leave until that <a new officei was taken care of. " He retired from the ranks as postmaster of Syracuse in 1980, however, not before he helped start two new rural routes and was part ofthechangeovertocity delivery. . ;*• “In the 1950 s the corner on Huntington Street was the busiest corner in town, " explained Bushong, “because people within the city limits had to pick up their ow n mail. " In 1958 city delivery was started, and several years later two new rural routes added “You don't just say I m going toadd two rural routes.” he said, “you have to study the situation, take people off of one route, pick up people that maybe aren't on a route, do maps and proposals, and hope the department will see the need." Bushong is a lifetime resident of the Syracuse area, and jokingly added. “I was born just down the street from here, and I always say —'l never got very far in life'.”

lb 4 # f ■' <• * ' ' »>. 1 MR. AND MRS. NATHANIAL BORNMAN

Melissa Bowers is June bride

Melissa Dianne Bowers, r 5, Warsaw, became the bride of Nathanial Shawn Bornman, r 5, Warsaw, in a 2 p.m. ceremony held June 27 in the New Salem Church of the Brethren, Milford. Rev. John B. Lowe performed the ceremony. Parents of the couple are Mr and Mrs. William Bowers, Silver Lake, and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Bornman, Syracuse. Jenney Wharton, Warsaw, was maid of honor, with Christina Hunter, Peru, serving as flower girl. The bride made all of the attendants dresses. John Freel, Syracuse, was best man. Ushers were Steve Hoogenboom, Elkhart, and Chris Bornman, Syracuse. The reception was held immediately after the ceremony in the church. The bride is a 1987 graduate of Tippecanoe Valiev High School ana is employed at Lowery’s

TRINITY LUTHERAN (Missouri Synod) 4th & Martin In Ligonier Invites You To Worship Sunday Church 9 A.M. Bible Classes 10:30 A.M.

Sewing Center. The groom graduated in 1984 from Wawasee High School and is employed with Pepsi Cola Following a wedding trip to Canada, the couple is residing at r 5, Warsaw. Mobile Meals drivers Volunteer drivers for Syracuse Mobile Meals have been scheduled for the week of August 24-28. They are as follows: August 24-28 MONDAY — Donna Wolfe TUESDAY— Mary Jane and Ken Bowton WEDNESDAY — Vera Craven THURSDAY — John and Jenny Oswald FRIDAY — Gran and Ginny Godley

CALENDAR Week Os August 19 To August 26 WEDNESDAY Syracuse Lions Club 6:30p.m., in Syracuse Case QfegSgs? Teen AA, Under 20 Group 7 p.m., in St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Syracuse Lutheran Church Women 7:30 p.m., in Syracuse Grace Lutheran Church Syracuse Jaycees 7:30p.m., in Lakeland Eagles Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group • 7:30 p.m.. in Episcopal Retreat House. South Shore Drive. Lake Wawasee. Syracuse Alanon 7:30 p.m., in St. Andrew's United Methodist Church. SR 13. N. Syracuse THURSDAY Ebenezer Ladies Aid 2 p.m vt~~j Wawasee Community Toughlove v’ 7 p.m., in Lakeland Youth Center. Syracuse. Parent support group for parents troubled by their teenager s behavior Milford Volunteer Firemen 7 p.m., in Milford Fire Station North Webster American Legion Auxiliary 8 p.m., in Legion Hall FRIDAY Milford Kiwanis 6:45a.m., Milford Community Building Alcoholics Anonymous Carl Sheperd Memorial Group 7:30 p.m., in Episcopal Retreat House. South Shore Dr . Lake Wawasee,Syracuse, open meeting SATURDAY Wawasee Kiwanis 7a m...in Gropp s. Syracuse SUNDAY Alcoholics Anoin inotis Fireball Group 10a m . in North Webster Fire Station 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 ' OF Lakeland Kiwanis WF 6:45a.m.. in North Webster Church of God meeting room FOE Men’s Meeting Aerie 3760 7 p m , in Lakeland Eagles. 404 Sycamore St . Syracuse Alanon Milford Family Group 7:30 p.m.. in Milford United Methodist Church Alcoholics Anonymous Milford Group 7:30 p.m.. in United Methodist Church. Milford, closed meeting \lcoholics Anony moils. North Webster Group 7:30 pm. in North Webster United Methodist Church TUESDAY Alanon Just F'or Today 9:30a m.. in St. Andrew 's United Methodist Church. Syracuse Sy racusc-Wawasee Rotary 12 noon in Beacon Restaurant Adult Children of Alcoholics 6:30p.m.. in North Webster United Church basement Wawasee American Legion Auxiliary 223 |VV| 7:30p.m.. in the Legion Hall WEDNESDAY North Webster Park Board 7 p.m.. in the North Webster Town Hall-Fire Station Eagles Auxiliary Meeting Aerie 3760 7 p.m . Lakeland Eagles. 404 Sycamore Street. Syracuse Syracuse Fire Department Regular Meeting 7 p.m.. in the fire station Teen AA, Under 20 Group 7 St. Andreyy's United Methodist Church. Syracuse Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7 30 p.m . in Episcopal Retreat House. South Shore Drive. Lake Wawasee. Syracuse Manon 7.30 pin .in St Andrew s United Methodist Chun hSR | IN. Syracuse

LOUISA'S LETTER

Dear Louisa, I have a problem. It is that my older sister is a beauty and everybody makes a great deal over her while they never seem to notice me. I am not bad looking — my handicap is living in the house with a beauty. How can I get people to notice me when G is around? D.F. — Ohio Answer: Have you ever noticed how many men have plain wives, as far as real physical beauty is concerned? As a usual thing the girl who is not beauty works harder to develop worthwhile characteristics — education and personality — than does the one who doesn’t have to exert herself. This results in a well-rounded personality that is able to hold on to what she gets and not lose it as happens when the initial attraction of a pretty face and figure wears off. This is not to say that all beautiful girls are dumb and

Buhrt Builders nc. I Syracuse, IN (219) 457-3431 Quality Construction For 40 Years

lazy. There are many of them who realize that the real beauty comes from within and while they have the edge on their plainer sister to start with, physical beauty without character and personality is a fleeting thing. So, D.F., concentrate on being kind and thoughtful to others and a leader in your school subjects and activities. You may be surprised at the results. Louisa Dear Louisa, What can I do about people crossing my yard and making a path across my lawn? This happens every day. Furious — Indiana Answer: A fence, a hedge or a watchdog seems to be your only alternative to the path. Perhaps if you put a sign up saying "No Trespassing” it might do some good. Louisa Address letters: Louisa, Box 532, Orangeburg. S.C. 29115