The Mail-Journal, Volume 26, Number 48, Milford, Kosciusko County, 13 January 1988 — Page 6

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., January 13,1988

Community corner

Working with kids important to new Fire Chief Jerry Byrd

t By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer i> The office of fire chief on a volunteer department is a high honor to those who serve in that capacity. The chief is not appointed nor political. It is a position where you are elected by fellow department members who entrust, at times, their lives to you and feel you are the best leader for the department. Jerry Byrd was elected by the members of the Syracuse Fire Department to serve as chief in 1988. He has served the department in the past as secretary-treasurer and in 1987 as second assistant chief. “Last year people asked me if I’d run for chief and I said no. This year I felt I’ve been on long enough, I know what I’m doing and thought I could help the department. ” Profile The Syracuse Fire Chief is in charge of 40 firemen plus the emergency medical service, in an indirect manor. (The EMS is overseen by the fire department captain, who is under the chief’s authority). He’s responsible for the overall operation of the two fire stations, wisely spending money in the department’s budget, keeping track of maintenance on equipment and getting new equipment when needed. He’s also the one in charge at all fires. The main part of the chief’s job is to be the department’s spokesman between the town and township. Both of whom provide tax money for the department’s operation. The Syracuse native feels the job he’s been entrusted by the members, and approved by the town board, will give him the opportunity to implement some of the ideas he has for the department. Some of these ideas include continuing the safety programs offered in the past to Scout Troops and at the Lakeland Youth Center, giving students tours of the station and explaining the equipment to visitors. ♦ But perhaps the major goal is the start of a fund drive to purchase a new JAWs unit, through donations. Jerry stated there is a need for a new unit, as the existing JAWS are 12 years old. If a fund drive gets underway, a total of $20,000 would be needed to purchase all the necessary equipment. TIP 0F To Put Summer Hi-LHes ' Bock In Your Hair Try COUPE COLOUR PM St. M. 13 Syracuse AC7.AIQ? Next To The Dairy Queen ‘♦ITJ

firm scratch Because meals are an eagerly awaited , part of a residents day, Miller's Merry Manor ' puts special care into preparing foods the \ residents like, served the way they like. flWfc • We use the freshest ingredients avail- /Jigg able, and our cooks and dieticians HK; accent many meals with favorite y Mr' - homemade foods. Making V. . ‘ mealtime special is just one of ja rLi the ways Miller's Merry .... Manor does more. Come C • .. • gy in and compare! It’s the way we care > . d/tiMe/i \ Merry Manor, Inc. Providers of 24 hour nursing care. Pickwick Drive & Old State Road 13 P.O. Box 8, Syracuse, Indiana 46567 • (219) 457-4401

WMK RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT — Jerry Byrd as chief of the Syracuse Fire Department is responsible for the firemen, equipment and operations of the department during his term in office. The fire chief, in Syracuse, is elected by members of the department and approved by the Syracuse Town Board for one year. However, unlike political office, a fire chief has no limitations on the number of years he serves, as long as he is elected by the department membership. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Meals for older Americans

Meals for Older Americans served each day at the following locations: The Scout Cabin, Syracuse; the Pierceton Community Building; Mentone Community Room in the fire station; the Retired Tigers Center, 320 W. Main, Warsaw; and the Church of the Brethren, North Webster. Meals for Older Americans is

for persons 60 years or older and is a chance to meet new friends and enjoy hot,, nutritional meals.. The sites are opened several hours each day including noon for programs. Meals for Older Americans is not associated with welfare but is for the promotion for better health for the older population. Donations are accepted for the meals. The site directors request all persons planning on attending the meals to make reservations by 1 p.m. the day prior to attending. Phone 457-2631 for Syracuse transportation and reservations. January 14-20 juice, tuna loaf/w/white sauce, parsleyed potatoes, buttered peas, slice of American cheese, cracked wheat bread w/margarine, lemon birthday cake w/lemon icing, milk, tea, and coffee FRIDAY — Tomato juice, sausage patties, scalloped potatoes, seasoned winter squash, white bread w/margarine, caterer’s choice dessert, milk, tea, and coffee MONDAY — Apple juice,

$ ' Concord S $ Lines $ P.O. Box 410 J Nappanee. IN 46550 ? FEB 13 UNION STATION ? T Historic Walking Tour of 4* r Union Station Plus City T Tour by Trolley! 4* + MARCH 27 $ 1 AMERICAN PASSION PLAY/ Bloomington, IL. r APRIL 10 4> BEARCREEK FARMS > Bryant,lN. J APRIL 29 - MAY 1 < Nashville. Tennessee / MAY 7&11 TULIP TIME f Holland, Michigan 5 For Information X or Reservations x S 1-900-021-1600 4>

Jerry has been with the department for 17 years, joining shortly after the Pickwick Block fire in 1971. “I figured if I lived here, I should do something to help the community. I’ve enjoyed it, most of the time. “It’s very rewarding, for the simple fact you live here and you get to help people. You don’t mind doing it,” commented Jerry. He noted at times it is hard being a fireman especially when you fight a fire all night, leave the scene and go to work. “You have to like it.” There’s always a part of being a fireman, no one likes and is never forgotten. A fire where a life is lost. But with the bad comes the good. For Jerry the good things are when you go out and do a good job at a fire and save someone’s home, possibly a life and the thanks you get. “People do thank you,” noted Jerry, contrary to popular belief of it being a thankless job. Jerry also feels the good part of a firemen’s life is working with kids and teaching them various aspects about safety and fires. “It "makes it worth while when you work with kids. ’ ’ Every once in a while someone joins a fire department because they think its all red lights and fun. “But it’s not,” said Jerry. There’s more to being a fireman than the desire to help people. There is training, an important part. The State of Indiana passed a law effective January 1, than in order to legally be a fireman in the state, one has to have 24 hours of training in the basics of firefighting. This includes use of a ladder, fire hose, safety measurers, and use of Scot Air Paks. The training must be taught by a state certified instructor. Training doesn’t stop at that point; Firemen in Syracuse undergo constant practice and trailing with training sessions scheduled once a month. Jerry noted there are constantly better techniques found in putting out a fire that rouse less damage, a fireman should know. Special drills are sometimes called to alert firemen to hazardous materials, see. a special film on a new technique and various other areas. \ . Therelsalso certification classes, second class, first class and master fireman. These classes add to a fireman’s knowledge of fighting fires. Syracuse Firemen just completed a second class certification fire school, that included burning a home in a controlled circumstance to learn proper techniques. Perhaps a major factor in being a fireman, is the support and understanding of your family, who give up their time with you when someone in the community needs your help. Jerry, who works at Commodore Corporation, Syracuse, and his wife, Glenda, have two children, Gina, 16, and Wes, 11.

vegetable-beef soup w/saltines, breadeu chicken fillet on bun w/mayonnaise and shredded lettuce, fresh orange, milk, tea, and coffee TUESDAY- Orangegrapefruit juice, roast pork loin, bread dressing w/gravy, zucchini and tomatoes, soft dinner roll

Afaftietta's uUemos Keep it clean briefs...

I By MARIETTA F. HENRY Extension Home Economist The cold season is upon us with sneezing and sniffling at every turn. The most common means of the transmission of cold germs is hand contact. So be sure to wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water. One of the many benefits of owning an automatic dishwasher is time saved. A recent survey showed that 3.8 hours can be saved each week by washing dishes automatically. That’s about 200 hours a year! Don’t discard old mattress pads. Use the good parts as fillers for oven mitts, pot holders, baby bibs, even seat cushions. Select a colorful washable fabric for the cover and bind with a matching bias tape. With many children preparing and packing their own lunches, be sure that they also get in the habit of thoroughly washing lunchboxes and thermos bottles in hot sudsy water after each use. Prevent any clogging to gas ports or holes on gas range burners by cleaning the burners frequently. Wash in warm sudsy water and remove any stubborn soils by scouring with a nonabrasive plastic scouring pad and cleanser. Rinse the burners thoroughly. Wipe completely dry or place in a warm oven (250 degrees) for 15-30 minutes. The burner and flash tube must be thoroughly dry to function cor-

(( hours: TX Give Oar Spadalty A Try \\ fi STUFFED (( ((M CHICKEN BREAST (I 1 l )) (K 1 nth. 1 USDA CHOICE (( )) USDA CHOICE sidMOfewf » I H 59 1 ( )) 457-4173 1 Lb< PICKWICK RD. BEHIND DAIRY QUEEN )j

w/margarine, sliced peaches, milk, tea, and coffee WEDNESDAY - Peach nectar, Swedish meatballs, succotash, tossed salad w/Thousand Island dressing, cracked wheat bread w/margarine, butterscotch pudding, milk, tea, and coffee

rectly. Many of the newest styles and fabrics are shimmery, shiny...and easy care. So look for the labels that call for machine washing and drying to keep the garments clean and looking bright. Laundry prewash soil and stain removers help to remove stains from washable fabrics. They are particularly effective on oilbased stains on polyester fibers. Apply just before machine washing items. Allow at least a minute for the remover to penetrate the stain, then launder using the recommended amount of detergent. * Mobile Meals drivers Volunteer drivers for Syracuse Mobile Meals have been scheduled for the week of January 18-22. They are as follows: January 18-22 MONDAY — Gran and Ginny Godley TUESDAY — Milly Shively WEDNESDAY - Win Sroufe THURSDAY - F. A. Rhoads , ; FRIDAY — Gran and Ginny Godley

CALENDAR Week Os January 13 To January 20 WEDNESDAY Goodwill Club 1:30 p.m., in the House of Friendship Syracuse Fire Department, Fire Drill 7 p.m., at Syracuse Fire Station Eagles Auxiliary Meeting Aerie 3760 7 p.m., in Lakeland Eagles, 404 Sycamore St., Syracuse North Webster Town Board • 7 p.m., in the town hall / Teen AA Under 20 Group 7 p.m., in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 p.m., Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse, closed meeting Alanon 7:30 p.m., in Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse I ■■ . THURSDAY Wawasee Community Toughlove 7 p.m., in Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse. Parent support group for parents troubled by their teenagers behavior North Webster Lions Board M eeting 7 p.m., in North Webster Fire Station Shady Ladies Bunco Club 7:30 p.m. Turkey Creek Conservation Club * 7:30p.m., in the Clubhouse Kappa Omicron Chapter Beta Sigma Phi Sorority 7:30p.m. FRIDAY Milford Kiwanis 6:45 a.m., in Milford Community Building Alcoholics Anonymous Carl Sheperd Memorial Group 7:30 p.m., Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse, open meeting SATURDAY Wawasee Kiwanis 7 a.m., in Gropp’s, Syracuse B Turkey Creek Senior Citizens 12 noon, in Syracuse Scout Cabin SUNDAY / . Adult Singles 9:30-10:30 a.m., in Mike’s Soda Shbp, North Webster sponsored by North Webster Church of God and Mike Kern Alcoholics Anonymous Fireball Group 10 a.m., in North Webster Fire Station, open meeting 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 Lakeland Kiwanis 6:45 a.m., in North Webster Church of God meeting room Syracuse Primary Mothers 7 p.m. Syracuse Emergency Medical Service 7 p.m., in Syracuse Fire Department North Webster Chamber of Commerce 7 p.m., in the Palace of Sports, North Webster, all interested parties are urged to attend Milford Lions 7 p.m., in Milford Community Building \ Alanon Milford Family Group 7:30 p.m., in Milford United Methodist Church Alcoholics Anonymous Milford Group 7:30 p.m., in Milford Methodist Church, closed meeting. Alcoholics Anonymous North Webster Group 7:30 p.m., in North Webster United Methodist Church North Webster American Legion 8 p.m., in Legion Hall — s®" TUESDAY Alanon Just For Today / 9:30 a.m., in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse ? ( _ Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary 12 noon, in Beacon Restaurant V Adult Children of Alcoholics 6:30 p.m., in North Webster United Methodist Church basement Syracuse Town Board 7:30p.m., inSyracuse Town Hall Refunder’s Club 7:30 p.m. ! WEDNESDAY Syracuse PTO 12 noon, in Syracuse Schools LRC - Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber Luncheon 12 noon, in the Beacon Restaurant Syracuse Lions Club 6:30 p.m., in Beacon Restaurant Syracuse PTO 7 p.m., in Syracuse Schools LRC Teen AA Under 20 Group 7 p.m., in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse Twilighters Bunco Club > 7:30 p.m. Lutheran Church Women 7:30 p.m., in Syracuse Grace! Lutheran Church Psi lota XI 7:30 p.m. Syracuse Jaycees 7:30 p.m., in Lakeland Eagles Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 p.m., Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse '• Alanon 7:30 p.m., in Saint Andrew’s, United Methodist Church, Syracuse