The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 9 December 1987 — Page 2

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL - Wed.. December 9,1987

Third in a series — Guatemola\

“It is not enough merely to exist... Even if it’s a little thing, do something for those who have need of a man’s help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. For remember, you don’t live in a world all your own. Your, brothers are here, too.” — Albert Schweitzer ißy Editor JERI AND BUD SEELY The words of Albert Schweitzer appear in the Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity brochure. Neither of us could have expressed our feelings better as we prepared for our trip to Guatemala, nor can we find better ones since our return to Indiana. Our mission to Guatemala was piulti-purpose. Bud and a number of others would drive vehicles to the Central American country. Most of the wives who were going would fly down the next week and we would all become VOSH volunteers in the village of Cuilapa, in the department of Santa Rosa. Many questioned us as to why we were going to do this ... didn’t we know there could be trouble? “Yes,” we would reply, remembering the Lions who had been mugged at the last International Lions Convention we had attended in Chicago and of the warnings we had been given prior to our trip to the Holy Land five years ago. It was something we had decided we wanted to do and only a warning from Uncle Sam would stop us. That warning never came and we felt no fear while in this friendly Central American country where half the problem, the Guatemalans said, is the publicity generated by hungry reporters. Some of the volunteers worked at an orphanage in Guatemala City the first day. We were not all needed so a number of us took advantage of a day off so Bud and the other Lions could rest after their problem-filled journey. Later in the day we went to the Central Market for a unique shopping experience. Monday morning bright and early we loaded our bags on a bus and soon found ourselves on the Pan Am Highway headed for Cuilapa. The Pan Am Highway is not what we had expected. It would compare to a county road in Kosciusko County. A super jjighway it is not!'

DEEEMBER May the joy and peace of this Christmas season dwell in your heart, and may the coming year be filled with many blessings for you.

RESIDENT OF THE MONTH Marjorie Kaiser Marjorie is a very pleasant lady that has been here at Miller's since 1982. She has been in the Warsaw area for some time She has been married for 36 years and has four daughters and eleven grandchildren. Marjorie is secretary of the Resident Council here at Miller's. She enjoys mzJrn««*ninn tn the radio. reodino, and ofauina Scrabble. This lady con ready go* excited when she tells of something that has happened. Her eyes light up and you con feel that you are reliving the story with her. She told of a time both in 1949, when a group of 200 wont to Hunftindon, Philadelphia to spend the day. They had dinner, rode in cars and she said it was just a wonderful day for ail of them. We might say it doesn't sound very exciting, but in 1949, it was really a treat to get to travel 40 miles from home, spend the day, have dinner out and get to ride in a car. Sometimes we can move so fast, be so busy and have so many comforts, that wo forget to appreciate the things we hove, or see the beauty of the little things. Marjorie enjoys talking, so if you have the chance to stop in and chat with her. I’m sure you would enjoy seeing her eyes light up and hoar the excitmeet in her voice!

ACTIVITIES We were honored to have Melody Powers here on Nov. 10th to sing for us. Melody lives in Warsaw and sings at different nursing homes throughout the area. Our residents enjoyed hearing her os she has a very beautiful rake. Melody hopes to make some records in the future and we wish her luck. One day out of the month our residents have a noon buffet. The mene is planned by our resident council which meets once a month. This month they had cabbage robs, hometnode brood, tossed salad, tot""’’ovr dietary dapartmam dM a wpar job thia month Ovr rooMeMa anjoyed It very much. A bip Thank You to ah offhaaa whe IwVW wr AMR MM on Nov. 11. Ovr ravittonta racatvad a real ireot here Nev. Id. Ae ebavt fifteen or twenty 4th grade ttudenn put an a pepper ehaer far diem. The group woe ceded r.A.CI. A pragrem *et worfco wM> gifted end talented children. These 4th graders mode their own scenes and wrote die plays. They really did a fantastic tab We would tike to thank Washington School lor thinking of our reiidents. They hod a great time and enioyod It very much.

Admistiwu MIO Hews MM. Fri.i;3SsM Merry Manor, Inc. Sat. 8:30-4:30 Other Times By Appointment p o box 377 v ’ rt Warsaw, IN 46580 bruce me hl hop . m a (219)267-8196 administrator Providers Os 24 Hour Professional Nursing Care

As the bus left Guatemala City, we were told to to civilization for three days. Cuilapa is not a modern town and many of the homes lack features which even the poorest of families enjoy in the USA. No other VOSH group had worked in this part of Guatemala before. As the bus approached the village, it was met by the volunteer firemen. They were driving the truck which had been given to Cuilapa by the Lions of Indiana on a previous trip to Guatemala. They led the way into town. We would be working in one of the schools in Cuilapa, about one block from the monument marking the geographical center of the Americas. As we arrived, people were already standing in line, even though they knew they still had a long wait before the doors of the school would be opened for them. First would come the official welcome with many speeches by the dignitaries of the village. Rick Myrick, mission leader, spoke on behalf of the 35-members of the VOSH team. He thanked the people for the warm welcome and said we had traveled a great distance to get there to bring the eyeglasses, doctors, dentist, services the people need. He also related the fact we looked forward to being with the people of Cuilapa for the week? Most of us felt big lumps in our throats as the flags of both Guatemala and the USA were presented by the Cuilapa Lions queen, and by Jane Tieman, daughter of the Charles Haffners of Syracuse. Both flags had honor guards, me entire VOSH tearii joined in singing the “Star Spangled Banner” as the town’s police band played it to perfection. The band had practiced that song, “Stars and Stripes Forever" and “The Washington Post March” for many hours prior to our arrival. Then the ceremonies were over. The flags were retired. It was time to get to work. Later, Mrs. Tieman would say, “It was a real honor to carry the flag. I was proud to represent my country.” Haffner, as every father would be, was extremely proud of his daughter and the part she took in the program. S. Glenn Yoder of. Millersburg said, “We’re going to have a job the next couple of days if we are going to see all those,” when he

ADMINISTRATOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH Betty Perkins

Batty Parkins started working at Miller's Merry Manor in 1978 as a nurse's assistant on night shift. She worked here for a couple of years and then Betty and her family moved la Minoi s. In 1983 they moved bock to Indiana to Lake Tippecanoe and Betty came back to work at Miller's as on a»do once again. The following year Betty trans ferred to day shift and started transporting residents to their doctor appoint monts. She also helped part-time doing medical records, which in 1985 she took on full-time. Betty has two sons, one daughter and seven grandchildren. One son lives in Clunette, Indiana and the other son and daughter live in Illinois. She also has two Siamese cots and the way I hear it, they are just as ornary as Betty's mother. Rosa Hatch, who lives in Leesburg. Indiana, sews and crochets many beautiful lap robes for the residents at Miller’s. Betty enjoys doing different kinds of crafts, one of which is making the corsages and boutineers for the residents when they hove a birthday Congratulations Betty and thanks for all you do hero at Miller’s!

Craft & Bake Sale Bazaar Dec. 10,9-4 P.M. The Activity Department will be haying a Bake Sale and Craft Bazaar in the Activity Room. Many item* are mode by the residents and would make inexpensive, but special gifts for someone. If anyone would like to donate any baked goad* for W Bazaar, please bring your donation* to the Activity Room by 3:00 on Wednesday. December 9. So be sure to mark your calendars and stop . In to see the item* we have available for giftgiving.

Eyeglasses and dental work provided by VOSH mission

saw the large number of people who were in line. “It’s a real opportunity to serve, ‘Onward and Upward!’ ” he concluded, using the theme he has selected for his year as governor of Lions District 25-G. Bud would serve as photographer and work with crowd control during the next three days. Jeri was assigned to registration for a short time and then re-assigned to the dispensary. A New Family The town had rolled out the red carpet for the VOSH team members who had come to help them. Cuilapa has no hotels and only two restaurants. We ate at the school, our food cooked by the wives of the local Lions. At the end of the first day, each member of the VOSH group was assigned a host family. We would live in their homes during our stay in Cuilapa. We stayed with the family David Moralez Hernandez and found a constant stream of neighbors and relatives coming and going in order to meet the visitors from America. The family consists of the father, mother and seven children ranging in age from 27 to four months. Kelly, the 11-year-old daughter, is the only one who speaks much English. It was through her and via sign language that we communicated. An aunt could say "chicken” and “baby” and took us on a tour of the family’s property. There we found her chickens and later we were introduced to four-month-old David, Jr., the baby. Others had learned different words and we found when we left nn Thursday morning that we had made a host of new friends. David Moralez is one of the richer men of the community as standards of the area go. His house is large and clean and a water tank on the roof provides a continuous supply of cool water. The family has two television sets and upon returning from our work at the school one evening Kelly quickly turned off the Spanish program they had been watching in order to switch to the Disney Channel and a program in English that we could understand. They have a man who washes down the courtyard each morning and a maid who does the housework. Many of the homes in the village only have water between the hours of 6 and 9 a.m. and 1

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NOW I CAN SEE — A youngster from Cuilapa shows uncertain emotions after receiving his eyeglasses from VOSH volunteers. Minutes after the photo was taken he broke out in tears. His glasses were thick and heavy and they were something very new to him. His new vision, too, was different. His world had a new look. A brighter look. We all knew that with time he would learn that his glasses were something that he needed to help him and his fears would be gone. With him is a woman from Cuilapa by the name of Carlotta who seemed to be many places, doing many things. She helped serve our meals. Her family was one of the host families. A school teacher, she made quick friends with Doris Yoder of Millersburg, a Goshen elementary teacher. When Bud questioned her about the coffee harvest which was underway she quickly took him to see a plant where they process the beans and showed him coffee plants. She was just one of those special people who seemed to be everywhere all of the time, helping where and when she was needed, as she is doing above. On our last night in Guatemala City she even joined us for dinner as a special “good-bye." She will remain in the hearts of all of us for a long time. < Photo by Jeri Seely)

and 4 p.m. Some only had buckets of water to wash in during other times of the day. Most of us had our own bottled water for drinking and brushing our teeth. Even with our advantage of having water and being able to take a shower at any time, we were glad to return to the shower in our hotel room in Guatemala City and find it had two faucets — one for hot and one for cold! The cool water was a little hard to get used to, though the 80-90 degree weather that we were working in helped. Sleeping, or trying to sleep, in Cuilapa was an experience we shall never forget. One learns to “sleep quick." You need io get as much rest as possible before the hour of midnight. About that time each night, the dogs of the community hold a sing-along. Between 2 and 2:30 a.m. the roosters begin to crow and as the sun peeks its head over the horizon the parrot in our family’s courtyard and other exotic birds of the community join in with songs of their own. James Brown of Indianapolis observed his birthday while in Cuilapa. His host family found out about the event and surprised him with a birthday cake, complete with candles and then sang “Happy Birthday” in English and then in Spanish. Upon our return to Guatemala City, we would learn our “saying good-bye to civilization” was nothing compared to another VOSH mission in the country at the same time. We talked to members of a VOSH group from Minnesota who had just returned from an area where they had only black beans to eat and they slept on straw mats. VOSH VOSH is an organization whose members give their time and skill to deliver visual care to needy people throughout the world. Guatemala 1987 was our first experience in working with VOSH. We came home knowing it will not be our last. The rewards are too great. It was time well spent. VOSH, we learned, is neither religious or political in nature. It is not a part of any service

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organization. It does, however, work with service organizations, missionaries and government units. in Cuilapa. VOSH worked side-by-side with the Lions. Many of the VOSH team members were USA Lions and the sponsoring organizations were two area Lions clubs. The mission, however, was not a Lions' sponsored project. We were all there as individuals because we wanted to help. We wanted to serve others. The eyeglasses we distributed were flown to Guatemala. They were donations from Lions clubs and other service clubs, churches, professional offices, optical companies, civic clubs and individuals. They had been carefully checked to be sure they were in good condition, measured for power, cleaned, labeled and packed in boxes according to categories. Myrick told us that preparing the glasses needed for a VOSH mission is in itself a monumental task. We were quick to learn that it takes a number of people to register and direct the natives to the optometrists in the examining rooms. The lines are long. There are always more people wanting glasses than the mission can serve in the time allowed. When we left, most of us wished we could stay longer and help the rest of the people. But, alas, our supply of glasses had dwindled and it would have been impossible to have helped many more people. Those who need glasses paid three quetzals ($1.20 or about one day’s pay for some) to the sponsoring Guatemalan Lions clubs. The Lions assured us that the money would be used for a school project and other service projects and if persons could not afford to pay for glasses they were not being charged. One reason the people are charged a small amount for the service is a simple fact of human nature that abounds the world over. If they pay for their glasses, they will take better care of them. A Guatemalan doctor working with us said a good pair of glasses in Guatemala City would cost the person 200 quetzals. Our mission then was saving all we served around 197 quetzals. Our help was something they could afford and the monies collected were going back into their community. The 200 quetzals they would have to pay in the city was something they could not afford for the lux-

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PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE — There were a total of 35 North Americans on our VOSH mission. We were joined by Peace Corp representatives and by several doctors from Guatemala on our people to people mission to provide eyeglasses for the people of Cuilapa. Everyone was assigned a job. Jeri worked in thye dispensary and had the joy of seeing the faces of the people as they received their eyeglasses. Z The photo on the left shows a man in his 70sYeceiving his glasses from one of the Guatemalan doctors. On the right, Ted Collister of Salina, Kan., who was on his 21st mission, adjusts the glasses on a young girl. During the four days of work the VOSH volunteers saw a total of 2,700 persons with 1,900 pair of glasses being dispensed. (Photos by Jeri Seely)

ury of being able to see. The people who needed eyeglasses were then directed to the dispensary where the papers filled out during registration and during the exams were given to those of us who were working there. To insure the right person receives the right glasses, the papers were numbered and a corresponding number was placed on the person’s hand. Prescriptions were filled and frames were chosen according to each person’s age, sex and occupation. The o opticians and Peace Corp workers would then fit the glasses and explain how the people were to wear them. Herb Witkoske of Wabash has been with VOSH since 1979. On the first day we were in Cuilapa he told us, “The people come from as far as 50 miles around for their glasses.” Looking at the long line, he said, “You haven't seen anything yet. The thing about it is thecrowd is bigger in the end because more people hear about it. So many more need help than you can handle. All of a sudden you realize there are so few of us and you wish you could do more. We can help people and we can change the world if we really go after it.” Leon Ridenhour, a member of the Laketon Lions Club, was on his second mission. He worked crowd control and said the people of Guatemala have a lot of patience. Asked why he was on the VOSH mission he said he had explained that to a young girl in Guatemala City earlier. He related what he had said to her. "We are God’s people. You are God’s people. God loves you. God loves us. And, we love you and because we love you we are down here to help you. This,” he concluded, “is Lionism inaction.” The doctors with our group said the people of Cuilapa needed glasses about five years earlier than people in the USA. Nutritional deficiencies cause the need for glasses earlier in life. Myrick said he began working with VOSH in 1973. The organization was smarted in Kansas in 1972 by Franklin Harms. The first mission, Myrick explained, was to Mexico. A total of six people flew down on a private plane and saw about 400-500 people in fourfive days. The next year, when he joined, they took the first fullscale mission to Haiti. After Kansas. VOSH spread to Indiana, Illinois, the Dakotas and Nebraska. Today, there are 15 state chapters and VOSH International. Myrick said there are around 400 dues paying members of VOSH International with the states having large chapters. Indiana, he noted, has an active chapter with about 300 dues paying members. Myrick said people who work with VOSH make a real donation to helping humanity. He pointed to Ted and Ellen Collister of Salina, Kan., who worked in the dispensary. The Collisters have been on over 20 missions. Since VOSH team members each pay their own way (between S7OO and SI,OOO for airplane tickets, food and lodging) 20 missions add up to a lot of money. The Collisters later told us they did it because they enjoyed it and we decided they must since both always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. This is one thing Americans can do more of, said Myrick. They can get involved. They can collect used eyeglasses They can join VOSH. They can go on a mission. Everyone, he said, can make a contribution. VOSH needs both professional people and lay people. The Missions are expanding with extra projects being added.

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like the Lions delivering vehicles, clothing and vitamins for the orphanages and needed items for hospitals. Myrick said, “The more people you get involved, the more things can happen. ’ ’ Again, he was careful to note that VOSH people pay their own expenses and donate their own time. It is, he said, very satisfying work. When you go home you usually feel real good about it. Myrick said he likes to take half veterans and half new people on a mission to get more people involved. He is a member of Kansas VOSH, Indiana VOSH and VOSH International. When we returned to Guatemala City from Cuilapa, our mission behind us, Myrick received a number of calls relative to the work. The most

Cheryl Brunjes re-elected as Milford EMS president

The Milford EMS held its final meeting of the 1987 year on Monday evening, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. There were a total of 13 present — the biggest turnout of the year for a monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by president Cheryl Brunjes. The secretary and treasurer reports were both accepted as read. One of the items discussed was the ever-becoming issue of the disease, AIDS. It was reported that as of now, rubber gloves should be worn by all EMTs and drivers going out on a run. This will be added protection against the dreaded disease. The gloves for the technicians will be directly above the cot on the first shelf, and the gloves for the drivers will be located either under the driver’s seat or to the right side of the driver’s seat. As of now, it is not mandatory, but is for an EMT’s own protection. It could become mandatory by the EMS Commission in the near future. It was also announced there will be an in-service at Goshen Hospital tonight, Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 7-9 p.m. On the subject of in-service, it was reported by Rich Rhodes that there was a delegation of Emergency Medical Technicians from both Milford and Leesburg who attended the trauma management course at Warsaw Community High School fen November 21. This was an all-day course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those attending in addition to Rhodes were Jean Lynch, Carol Shively and Marilyn Stratton. It was reported by Mrs. Brunjes that there were 38 present at the EMS annual Christmas party. This year, it was held at The Chateau Restaurant in Milford on December 6. Everyone in attendance had a great time with a big “thanks” extended to Barb Richardson-, who served as hostess and fun/game provider. Under old business, Mrs. Brunjes reported she is still working with United Telephone System to get phones hooked up for all new technicians who are taking the class. Under new business, it was brought up by Rhodes for the need to get Leesburg technicians hooked up to some type of phone system. This is necessary so when a call from Leesburg comes in, whoever is on base in Milford may call one number that hopefully will alert all Leesburg technicians as to where the emergency is. In other business, it was suggested by Natalie Stump to get together as EMTs and drivers once a month. This will be an in-

surprising call was from Dona Raqual Cerezo, wife of the President of Guatemala, who congratulated the VOSH group for helping the children, many of whom were orphaned because of the ongoing civil war in Quiche province. After returning to the USA, Myrick said, “Guatemala ’B7 is now history, and I think it was a super rmssion, one of the best I can remember. For the record, we examined 2,700 patients and dispensed about 1,900 pairs of eyeglasses.” In addition, the dentist who accompanied the mission pulled almost 600 teeth. In conclusion, Myrick praised those on this year’s mission, stating, “A VOSH team is just that, a team, and everyone has to work together."

formal time of fun together, as well as a chance to discuss how to make the Milford EMS a little better. Joe Walker consented to become training director, and to also retain the duty of ordering supplies and stocking both ambulances.. Joe Gerencser had been the training director. Mrs. Stump also consented to retain the scheduling duties. John Corbin will be taking over the task of billing for the upcoming year of 1988. Walker also brought up the fact that all EMTs should stock their first responder jump kits out of the First Aid cabinets instead of the ambulances themselves. The last item of business for the 1987 year was to elect officers for 1988 After several nominations, the results are as follows: Cheryl Brunjes, president; Margi Brooks, vice president; Rich Rhodes, secretary; and John Corbin, treasurer. 1984 van stolen from Brooks' lot The theft of a 1984 Ford van from Brooks Auto Sales, SR 15, was reported to Milford Police last week and remains under investigation. Ted Brooks, owner of the Milford business, told police that the van had been taken sometime after 8 p.m. last Thursday, Dec. 3, from the car lot. There was no evidence of the van having been broken into and two sets of keys remained in the office lot building. Value of the van was set at $12,000. A battery of unknown valu was also stolen from the back of the office. Third man charged for theft of meat A third man was charged last week with the theft of more than 300 pounds of various cuts of meat from the Village Butcher Shop in Syracuse. James Wallace Kernstein, 33, Syracuse, was taken into custody by Syracuse Police and booked into Kosciusko County Jail last Tuesday, Dec. 1, on charges of burglary and theft. Police, in cooperation w'ith county and state efforts, had recovered the meat at the Worrell residence. Edward Allen Worrell, 27, Syracuse, and John William Jessop, 25, Milford, had been arrested and charged earlier. Survivor released ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Four-year-old Cecelia Cichan, the only survivor of an Aug. 16 Northwest Airlines crash that killed her parents and 154 other people, has been released from a hospital to a new home and a new life with an aunt and uncle, Rita and Frank Lumpkin. *