The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 44, Milford, Kosciusko County, 16 December 1987 — Page 18

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 16,1987

Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler publish newsletter

A number of descendants of Jacob Hochstetler, the Swiss immigrant of 1738, met recently at Goshen to plan the publishing of a family newsletter. Hochstetler, the immigrant, and two of his sons, Christian and Joseph, were held captive for several years by a band of Indians in 1757 during the French and Indian War. The Indians killed the other members of the family, except for the two married children, and burned their log cabin home in Berks County, Pa. Harvey Hostetler and William Hochstetler researched the family history and published the family genealogy in 1912. Today, the Hochstetler descendants number in the tens of thousands and live in all states, Canada, and many countries around the world. Many have distinguished themselves as missionaries and scholars, teachers and professors, farmers and laborers, and in political and other professional services. Recently, Paul V. Hostetler, Hamden, Conn., has aroused interest in the family with letters and articles in a project to obtain possession of and preserve the original homesite where the massacre occurred. The account of the massacre is recorded in the military records in the historical archives in Philadelphia. A monument has been placed at the site to commemorate and mark the place. Since 1988 will be the 250th anniversary of the arrival of Hochstetler in America, there is interest in commemorating the event with some regional family gatherings next year. Many branches of the descendants have been having family reunions in various*. areas. the above ad hov group is planning for a regional gathering of all branches in northern Indiana next year. Other areas for such regional gatherings, providing local leadership emerges, might include Pennsylvania, Ohio, lowa, Kansas, California, Oregon, and perhaps other regions. There is a proposal to form a Family Association to be incorporated as a nonprofit organization to sponsor and give leadership to family-wide projects, publication of the family newsletter, possible preservation of the family homesite, conduct research and publish historical materials, and gather family memorabilia. The family name has various spellings and various interpretations. In one common form, the

I ■ It's always a pleasure to greet you 8 ■ and wish you the best of the Season. 8 ! fn .„. 8 I TNff LOCAL CRAFTSMAN | nSDeSBOUttMBMWDKMWDaKMM ft NOEL, | > A A F £ % uHBeObM § • HMbME « s SSwMI ? flf As we approach the Ar Holiday Season let us 4F not forget the Birth of aS M* —,. Christ. May peace and jK goodwill always dwell Vuj Ar in your hearts. 4F A* Closing I J 39 JpiL : Noon, Dec. 24 Ag Ar R«op*n 9 A.M, Jan. 5 ! 8 KOYDOU pou.,, £ Ar mcobatins curm A? Main Street 658-4033 Milford AF

name suggests that the original members were residents from high elevations. When the immigrant Hochstetler arrived in Philadelphia, the government clerk asked his name, and since Hochstetler did not know the English language, the clerk simply wrote down what he heard spoken. This occurred at other times, such as when land was purchased. Consequently, there are nearly a dozen spellings of

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PROFESSIONAL TONING TABLE SYSTEM — Just For You has a newly opened professional toning table system consisting of seven motorized fitness machines. Shown are Ann Bell, standing, owner; Janet Blalheiey, left, and Londa Meredith. Just For You is located in North Webster at the Land ’O Lakes building. (Photo by Dennis Jones)

"Freedom From Smoking" clinic

For people who benefit from group support in their efforts to quit smoking, the Nappanee Missionary Church is sponsoring a “Freedom From Smoking" clinic program designed to help smokers kick their habit permanently. The seven session clinic will begin on January 12, 1988, and finish on February 23 with a special celebration. Sessions will be held at 7 p.m. “This is a brand new clinic program,” says Donna Rohrer, clinic instructor. “The American Lung Association has spent five years developing and testing across the country. “The clinic," she says, “emphasizes unlearning a habit and does not involve scare tactics. We try to make quitting a less stressful experience and help smokers figure out better ways to cope with situations that ordinarily trigger their lighting up.” says Rohrer. “Small group

the family name. A middle school teacher, Daniel E. Hochstetler and a retired missionary, Wilbur Hostetler, have been appointed to work with others in preparing the first issue of the family newsletter which is now available. Free copies of the first issue will be sent to all persons who send their request to Hochstetler/Hostetler Newsletter, 1008 College Avenue Goshen, Ind. 46526.

exchanges are a vital part of the program.” Rohrer continued, “In this approach, we help smokers develop an individual plan of action to quit, introduce them to relaxation techniques, identify their triggers, encourage exercise, and help devise ways to avoid weight gain. By the third session, we expect smokers to be off cigarettes. Then we help them launch and practice their new lifestyle as a nonsmoker. Maintenance — practicing staying off cigarettes — is a central focus.” An orientation session — to introduce smokers to the program, will be held at the Nappanee Missionary Church on January 5 from 7-8 p.m. The program is free. Enrollment is limited; advance registration is required. More information is available from the Nappanee Missionary Church, PO Box 110, Nappanee, Ind. 46550 or phone 773-2727.

Sharing Christmas can bring happiness

Something equally as welcome as a purchased gift at Christmastime would be the gift of someone’s time. Invite a foreign student or a new couple in the community to share in the family’s Christmas dinner. First discuss this with the rest of the family so that each member can have the feeling of having a part in this sharing plan. There may be a disadvantaged city child who would love to have a Christmas gift certificate inviting him or her for a vacation at someone’s summer cottage or country home. A family might like to “adopt” a child through some organization by giving a small amount each month for the needs of a certain child. Children might really enjoy having a part by giving a small amount of their allowance or money that they have earned to chip in with the rest of the family toward this project.

To our fine customers: may your Holiday Season be full of happy blessings and the joys of Christmas cheer. Whetteq, Pizza • *** 658-9795 • '^*7*.-.-het 130 South Main • S***’ Milford

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ATTEND SWCD CONFERENCE — An Elkhart County delegation attended the 1987 Annual Conference of Indiana Soil and Water Conservation districts (SWCD). From front left, they are: Don Sheline, assistant supervisor; Richard Snider, chairman of the Board of Supervisors; Jackie Berkey, office secretary/treasurer; Lyle Burtsfield, secretary/treasurer of the Board of Supervisors; Mary Ellen Bontrager; and Agnes Blakesley. The back row, from left includes: Gus Jordan, SCS District Conservationist; Lewis Blakesley, member Board of Supervisors; Gary Kauffman, assistant member Board of Supervisors; David Bontrager, vice chairman Board of Supervisors; and Nancy Brown, SWCD education coordinator/technician.

SWCD conference held recently

The 45th annual conference of Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts was held at Purdue University on Dec. 1-2. During the noon luncheon awards program, Richard Snider and Nancy Brown accepted the National Association of the Conservation Districts/Deutz-Allis Conservation Education District-of-the-Year Award for Indiana in behalf of the district. The district promotes conservation education in county schools through the speech and poster contests, fourth grade field days, outdoor lab assistance, the Audubon supported mini-grant program, natural resource reference library, a teacher’s newsletter, and workshops on conservation education for teachers. The district assists local, state and federal agencies with cooperative programs promoting conservation education, as well as providing technical soils information to aid in county planning. Chairman Snider later accepted the 1987 Goodyear Award for the district at the evening banquet. Elkhart and Johnson Counties received the grand awards in the 40th annual Goodyear Conservation Awards Program, sponsored by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Inc. Richard and Sue Snider will represent Elkhart County on the grand awards tour, an expense paid, vacation/study trip to Wigwam County Club Resort, Litchfield Park, Ariz., home of the Goodyear Conservation Farms. The annual tour hosts 105 grand award winning district representatives from the entire nation. A Tuesday afternoon seminar on conservation education included a report on the supervisors’ role in planning the district conservation education program. David Bontrager, supervisor and chairman of the SWCD Education Committee, gave a report on the supervisors’ involvement in the

Farris to have photo on display

Tom Farris, Lake Wawasee and Muncie artist, writer and idea man, has had his color photograph, “Boothbay Reflections #7,” selected for this year's Honeywell 100 Photography Show. The matted and framed 8by 10-inch color photograph is one of a series Farris did in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, of a foggy sunrise and the color evolution which accompanies it. The show is sponsored by Honeywell Foundation Inc. and is

district education program. He presented the district’s annual work plan to the audience, explaining how the committee system is set up and functions. After Bontrager’s presentation, slides v re shown of district educatic . activities throughout the year by the district education coordinator. Speakers at the conference in-

You and your pet —

Alcohol-Chocolate toxic to your pets

Dear Dr. Wise: Our loveable five-year-old mutt O’Leary almost became a holiday alcohol statistic. We threw the alcoholsoaked cherries from our new crop of Cherry Bounce into the woods and O’Leary got into them. He seemed restless and not at all responsive; then he vomited and we knew what he’d eaten. Poor dog slept and drank water for two days. We never dreamed a dog would touch alcohol and thought your readers might benefit from our experience. Answer: O’Leary is a lucky fellow. If he hadn’t vomited and gotten rid of the culprits, those alcoholic cherries could have been the end of him. It is a myth that animals will not eat anything that can harm them. They are unusually fond of sweet drinks, like the Cherry Bounce. Especially during the holidays, veterinarians treat many pets who’ve shared holiday spirits and feasts with their owners. Alcohol, if it is absorbed by the animals, can cause severe or fatal damage to all the organs and eventually to the brain. It doesn’t take much

part of the Wabash Winterfest celebration. It will be open to the public daily through Dec. 25 in the main gallery of Honeywell Center, 275 W. Market St., just west of SR 15 in Wabash. Exhibit hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and admission is free. Ninety-three individuals from 26 Indiana communities submitted a record 455 photographs for this year’s show. Judges were Dr. Louis F. Romain of Fort Wayne and James Ronald Creighton Adams of North Manchester. In addition to photography, Farris is an artist in all media, currently working on large format oil paintings. He is also developing a unique technique for use in Polaroid photography.

Greetings and Best Wishes for a wonderful Christmas Season. May you find peace and contentment throughout the years to come. Dr. Wendel R. Shank Optometrist, Inc. 406 S. Huntington Syracuse 457-4476

eluded James Ridenour, director of Indiana Department of Natural Resources, on the implementation of “T by 2000,” the state program to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation in Indiana to tolerable levels by the year 2000. The National Association of Conservation Districts report was delivered by William Horvath, representative of the North Central Region.

because the animals do not have much tissue area to handle alcohol. While it is not a food, the sweet taste of antifreeze attracts many pets. This can lead to severe kidney damage or even death. The chocolates we enjoy over the holidays also can be deadly poisonous to our pets. In fact, veterinarians are alarmed by the increase in chocolate victims. The candy contains theobromine, a relative of caffein. High levels of the drug cause the animal to become jittery and excited — much as coffee can affect some humans. The animal’s hearts can overexert under such stimulation. Dark chocolate is particularly toxic. A 10-pound dog, for example, would become acutely ill after consuming a little over one ounce of dark baking chocolate or 11 ounces of milk chocolate. Some food colorings also are toxic to pets. Generally, you should avoid sharing the rich dressings and meats and highly-seasoned foods that are such a traditional part of the holidays. They may not be poisonous like the chocolate and alcohol, but they can cause extreme digestive system distress in animals. Keep the season merry and your pets healthy by sticking with the usual pet food diet and dog biscuit or cat snack treats. Good health is one of the best gifts you can give your pet. This information answers problems Indiana veterinarians currently are seeing in their practices as well as new developments in animal care. Prime rate up NEW YORK - Major U.S. banks raised their prime lending rates a half percentage point to 9.25 percent, the highest level since early 1986 and a reflection of the pressure toward higher interest rates nationwide, but lowered them the next week.

Fr. Hyndman's witty parody delights Rotary Club ? ■ • • (EDITOR’S NOTE: Fr. David Hyndman, of the All Saints Episcopal Church and an all-time regular of the SyracuseWawasee Rotary Club, is usually called upon to come forth with a witty parody for special club occasions. This was the occasion last Thursday night, when the club observed its 40th annivqgpary We invite our readers to be the judge of his talents.) The cogged wheel of Rotary is a symbol most keen Os an effective and useful, well-oiled machine. But each year at this time, as you will now see, That machine slips a cog and you’re saddled with me. So set aside reason and logic and truth, Manners and etiquette and kinds of couth. You see, I’ve done that already; it’s easy to do For remember where I’m standing, I’m looking at you. Oh dear, gosh and golly, how shall I proceed? For I’ve had only a year to let my mind go to seed. I needed a gimmick for this poem to have structure. Before thinking of this one, my brain had a rupture. We know the North Pole’s where Santa makes toys For angelic wee girls and good little boys. Just think of what might happen, and well you might ask, If our Rotary members took over that task? I see by your faces.you’re at sixes and twelves Just trying to imagine us as reindeer and elves. Think of Evans, our President, as jolly St. Nick, At least three sizes larger to accomplish the trick. He'd manage and tinker and see to it with care That ail’d be supplied with Augsburgundian fare. < Christmas giving is fun and quite a good treat when your purse is chock full and your wallet’s repleat, But Bah Humbug Sheriff Troutman, that wicked old elf, Would attack your resources and pillage your wealth. Dick Conroy as head elf and befitting his rank Would carry out trash and go to the bank. A more disastrous arrangement you never saw For what he would deposit Elf Caskey’d withdraw. Elf Tehan, financier, by such action would be so confused That in our finances such Un-Precision was used. Elf Talton with accuracy would check our accounts, Figure our taxes and such other amounts, Then would grimace and shudder and look up to heaven As he filed us sadly under chapter eleven. Attorney Elf Cates would step up to the bar To settle disputes whatever they are. But in applying the law of the Medes and the Persians He’d find in this club law would make no incursions. Wee Elf Bill Cable, doesn’t that just boggle your brain, Would be our ambassador and make up again and again, And have 400% attendance, a record indeed! But what else can you do with corn gone to seed. Elf Westfall would be in charge of our power and light with great valor, But his countenance would take on an ashen-like pallor, when this very embarrassing NIPSCO question was posed, ‘ ‘Where on earth would he get it with all those offices closed? ’ ’ Elves Putt and Penn, our climate control engineers, (Together they’ve done that about two hundred years.) When we re sweating buckets with the temperature rising Would find that that wasn’t too terribly surprising, Or when we would shiver with a cold in our nose, Would simply blame those new guys at Johnson Controls. Commissary Elf, Paul Levernier, would keep our stomachs’ running on tow, While he invented new ways to disguise striped bass as Coho. And all us reindeer and elves would just get thinner and thinner, Because Elf Schmucker was short with the cash for our dinner. Elf Varner Chance would attempt to lift workers’ spirits with song Depressing us further when tune and pages were wrong. Elves Ganshorn and Plummer would be charged with fulfilling the wants Os those little knippers, their parents, cousins. Uncles and Aunts, But would try to replace where those dreams were naturally minted By selling them catalogues that they had recently printed. Elf Hampton would diligently make toys and gee gaws. Great stocking stuffers for Evans, our Claus, But he’d carefully go over the lists and would lose AU lists of Property Owners behind in their dues. Production would slow under this un-going stricture: And no toy’d be delivered until the middle of March, For each would merit from Elf Riffle a story for Arch. Little help we’d be getting from Elf Peffley, dear soul, For he’d be off for his first visit to see the South Pole. Dick Wysong, what a tremendous elf he would be, In charge of research and development, in short, R and D. He’d develop a doll to drive a combine and farm. And construct brand new houses with its bionic arm, But it would be so expensive, not one could enjoy This amazing, but costly, Vocational Toy. Elf Van Lue would be in charge of electronic delights, Whirling gizmos and thingama jigs with bright flashing lights, But in the pokey it would cost our poor Santa a month a day ' For that defective fuzz buster he installed in his sleigh. Elf Denny Mock would deliver communication devices So Santa could talk to his elves and get their advices, But his gadgets wouldn’t warrant exceptional raves For they were minus twelve tong and several short waves. Wooden skates, wooden sleds, wooden dolls, and doll houses Wooden tin soldiers, and basketballs, and wee wooden mouses, Os so much wood I would tire and be bored wooden you, Os the efforts of Local Craftsman, Elf Courtney Blue. Elf Jackson, just think of him several sizes too small. Would handle construction and design over all. His efforts would set Santa Evans’ mind a rocking For how would he get a whole house in a stocking. Elf Whelan would be in charge of all golfing type toys Especially suited for under-par boys, Molasses sticky clubs to bring your game right alive, And guarantee a round of, at least, two hundred and five. Doc Brungardt, good elf, would reverse Rudolph’s nasal condition So his tail would light up and lead straight to perdition. And hypnotic Elf Robinson would so mess with his antlers of bone That poor Rudolph’s head couldn’t even find his way home. Reindeer Colpitts and Maish as Dasher and Dancer would vere off with a lurch And insist on landing on the roof of every Methodist Church. Mike Harris as Prancer and Weaver as Vixen wouldn’t be able to respond to the call To dash away, dash away, or dash it at all. Kerlin as Comet and Kryder as Cupid Together would manage to do something stupid. Kerlin would file a flight path through the air, And Kryder, a school bus route to get Santa there. Dick Ditmer as Donner and Harry Bishop as Blitzen Might slip on the ice and do an awful bad splitzen. And injure themselves on the place where they sitzen. Such confusion and hub-bub in Santa’s workshop would abide That the real Santa, his elves and reindeer, would hide Not wanting to show either faces or backs Next to any of those Syracuse Rotary hacks. And as Christmas approaches we reindeer and elves would be all harried To dig up all the toys that Elf Charlie had buried. Poor man, you might say, his mind’s perched on a ledge. Don’t look for me there, I’ve gone over the edge. As this poem comes to an end a voice comes to my ear, A voice with a message that is perfectly clear: “Elf Hyndman you’re in need,” says that voice from above, “Os the professional services of Elf Doctor Love! ” Oh calm all your feelings of being at sixes and twelves, For we’ll leave Christmas to Santa, his reindeer and elves. And now, keep in your hearts this most incredible mystery: How a club with such members could have a forty-year history. For no one on earth would make such a flub As to entrust Santa's task to this Rotary Club.