The Mail-Journal, Volume 27, Number 51, Milford, Kosciusko County, 1 February 1989 — Page 6

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., February 1,1989

Community corner

David Blackwell helps others learn to make beautiful music

EBy KATE WOLFORD Staff Writer David Blackwell has been responsible for helping the kids in the Wawasee High School Band make beautiful music for 24 years. A dedicated teacher and lover of music, Blackwell is happy with his profession. Like many people who later prove successful at what they do, Blackwell wasn't quite sure about what he wanted to do when he entered Indiana University at Bloomington, at the behest of his father, who expected'him to attend college. He entered music education and, over the years he spent in the program, began to realize that he had chosen the right field. After he got into student teaching, he says, “I realized I could get results working with kids. That was all it took.” ’ Profile He still enjoys what he's doing. In addition to his work at the high school, Blackwell, who has a master’s of science degree in education from Indiana University at Fort Wayne, directs the choir and band for sixth, seventh and eighth grade at the North Webster School. He has done so for 21 years. Blackwell loves working with the students because, "they're, younger than I am.” He adds that they have a joy in life that is notoften found in adults and that they transmit that joy to him In short, they help keep him young He views the relationship as a mutually beneficial one. "I also feel like I’ve got something of value to teach them," he says. It's not surprising that he feels that way. His own music education at Indiana University was first-rate and he describes the department at the university as one the best in the world Receiving his education he says, “was a very worthwhile experience.”

TOUGHLOVE supports parents during bad times

I By STACEY LESCH Staff Writer To many people, they are known as a type of Gestapo, popular for their actions of "throwing their own children out of the house.’’ But Tom Prickett insists that only those who do not fully understand the concept and goals of parents trying to deal with their child's unexceptable behavior, assume the worst. TOUGHLOVE is a program designed for parents to help parents deal with their children by sharing personal experiences and offering support to other s emotions and feelings As stated in the TOUGHLOVE manual, a

COMING FEBRUARY STH SrWKAM-& Presents “BLANK CHECK” ■■ F'~ ■ *•<£, bBRE® r >x t & ■ "ilrMhirE *sOi jtfl HSk , > i I I WKAM nn 14601 fl HERE’S HOW TO PLAY . . . Listen to WKAM from 6 am to 6 pm Monday B thru Friday We'll play "BLANK CHECK 8 times daily 1 WKAM has set a special checking account with a secret balance in it. Then we II invite you to call in and guess the secret balance of our BLANK CHECK account if you guess - B the balance you’win that amount of cash If your guess is wrong, we II tell you if B the balance is HIGHER or LOWER and you're encouraged to call back in the B next time we play the game WKAM will take guesses on the air until someone wins the cash then we II deposit another secret balance again The secret balances will range from $ 1 S2OO so tune in. call in cash in (> “BLANK CHECK” Is Being Brought To You By: First National Bank, Stutzman’s Motor Sales, Furnitureland, Goshen Camera Mart, Town Haus Restaurant, Realty 2000, Goshen Home Fabrics, Zebell’s Heating & Air Conditioning TUNE IN - CALL IN - CASH IN _ GOSHEN’S GREAT A.M. AT 1460 ■ ■ s'-WKAM J $

brief description of the program is as follows: “TOUGHLOVE is a loving solution for families that are being torn apart by unacceptable adolescent behavior" such as the abuse of drugs and alcohol, or rebellious actions. “It is the same kind of loving approach we used when our little children had to take medicine.” TOUGHLOVE is not a therapy group and is not affiliated with any religious groups. "TOUGHLOVE is not throwing your kid into the street or turning your back on him,” as so many people believe. Prickett says, "I feel that if a person doesn’t believe in TOUGHLOVE, then he doesn't believe in God I functioned by the same principles before I

IB jgT > k £ .. J WhC 1 I • SXTL PLAYER — David Blackwell, Fort Wayne, is music department chairman for Wawasee High School. He’s been at that job for over 20 years. An accomplished jazz musician. Blackwell plays both the clarinet and saxophone. (Photo by Kate Wolford)

ever heard of the TOUGHLOVE program,” he claims. “I simply will not allow drugs (or alcohol) in my home and if my child violates that rule, he has a choice: either stop using or find somewherfe else to do it,” Prickett says the same conditions must apply to other rebellious actions, such as habitually violating curfews or skipping school, if the program is to work effectively. Operating on the same principle as- Alcoholic Anonymous, TOUGHLOVE is a support group for parents, guardians and grandparents — children are excluded from group sessions. Parents encourage one another to let the children pay for their own actions, by accepting the conse-

quences, no matter how badly they would like to help or protect them. TOUGHLOVE has been in existence throughout the United States for over 10 years. Prickett says the program was brought to Syracuse just four years ago when a Syracuse family, experiencing problems with their adolescent, heard about the program and called the TOUGHLOVE headquarters in Doylestown. Pa. With deliberations between the family, a Wawasee High School counselor and Tom Prickett, the program

Meals for older Americans

1 Meals for Older Americans are 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; Free Methodist Church, Winona Lake; 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 meal's.

>oe< save socomk I Happy I Quarter I Century Shell I * I • ! j I LOVE. I x M6m, Dad * I And The Gang I

Enjoy Fine Home Cooking In | y A Warm Friendly Atmosphere With Owners ;i Jim & Maylynn McGonigal : i' New Winter Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 AM.-2P.M. J 1 Sot. Midnight-2 P.M. i' < 121 Jefferson " Closed Evenings ; CROMWELL 856-4955 Closed Sundays ,i

He realized that concert performing wasn’t right for him while at the university. And although he is a sharp jazz musician, playing both the clarinet and the saxophone, he says he doesn’t enjoy playing in smoky bars full of intoxicated people. He plays, but he does so occasionally. Blackwell believes that the discipline, hard work (both physical and mental) and team spirit it takes to play an instrument in a band is a tremendous intellectual challenge. Deep thoughts and feelings that “can't be spoken” are conveyed through music and Blackwell believes this is a great release for musicians. Also, he thinks that being able to play an instrument leads to a “deeper understanding of how it all (music) goes together.” As a result, a student musician’s appreciation of music is greatly enhanced. Although sports teams may garner much of the glory in high school, playing as a team is just as important for a band. “They’ve got to work as a team in order to achieve the result,” says Blackwell about his players. “Just like you do in a sport.” He adds that as in sports, leaders do emerge. When>he talks about discipline, Blackwell begins to sound like a coach. “Anyone that can control his own discipline can control his own destiny.” Although he’s a smiling person with a ready laugh, Blackwell admits that he’s a tough taskmaster. “Ask anyone,” he proclaims, adding, “I like for things to be as good as they can possibly be, and I don’t think there is any excuse for their not being that way.” As a band teacher, Blackwell “corrects things that are wrong.” He also likes to make up compositions and always has his band handy to try things out on. He does write to “fit my kids,” and says that he knows their strengths and weaknesses and composes accordingly. Blackwell lives in Fort Wayne with his wife, Judy. His son, David Blackwell IV lives in Fort Wayne as well. His daughter, Molly, is a junior at Wawasee and she plays in the band. He enjoys the Fort Wayne music scene and plays in the Fort Wayne Area Community Band, The long hours of practice, playing, taking part in contests and following sports teams are tough, but Blackwell does love his work and music. It seems a good bet that over the years, he’s passed that love on to his students.

was initiated in Syracuse. Prickett says a strong nucleus has been developed since the first meeting of the Syracuse TOUGHLOVE program. “We have parents who have gone through the program and continue to come to support others. We also have a good referral system from the high school, doctor s, ministers and attorneys.” Prickett estimates that anywhere between three and 45 people have attended the weekly meetings while 10 members are fairly regular attendants. Administrators and counselors of

The site directors request all persons planning on attending the meals to make reservations by I p.m. the day prior to attending. Phone 457-2631 for Syracuse transportation and reservations. February 2-8 THURSDAY - Apple juice, barbecued beef on bun, potato salad, seasoned mixed vegetables, cherries in cherry gelatin, milk, tea, and coffee FRIDAY — Pineapple juice, ham and beans, steamed spinach w/sauteed onions, cornbread w/margarine, plums, milk, tea, and coffee Mobile Meals Drivers Volunteer drivers for Syracuse Mobile Meals have been scheduled for the week of February 6-10. They are as follows: February 6-10 MONDAY — Helen Shanklin TUESDAY — Marilyn Ringler WEDNESDAY - Dick Losee THURSDAY — June Baker and Belva Rookstool FRIDAY — Dot Kitson Volunteer drivers for Milford Mobile Meals are: January 1-10 WEDNESDAY — Bob and Marge Groves THURSDAY — Orlie Waggy FRIDAY — Marvin and I>eatrice Rapp MONDAY — Margie Brooks TUESDAY Jean Treestr WEDNESDAY - Kate Doty THURSDAY — Mary Duncan FRIDAY — Donna Fisher

area schools also attend the meetings as Prickett says the schools are very supportive of the program. TOUGHLOVE meets every Thursday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Lakeland Youth Center on SR 13 South, in Syracuse. Anyone wishing information about the TOUGHLOVE program should call Tom at 457-5422 or Sandy at 457-2249. For chapter information, persons should write or call the TOUGHLOVE headquarters at P.O. Box 1069, Doylestown, Pa. 18901, 215/348-7090.

■ MONDAY — Orange juice, spaghetti w/meat sauce, parsleyed green beans, Italian bread w/margarine, pears, milk, tea, and coffee TUESDAY — Caterer's choice juice, breaded baked chicken quarter, mashed potatoes w/grayy, seasoned carrots, cracked wheat bread w/margarine, fresh banana, milk, tea, and coffee WEDNESDAY — Orangegrapefruit juice, lemon baked cod fillet w/tartar sauce, baked potato, margarine, layered salad, whole wheat bread w/margarine, lemon pudding, milk, tea. and coffee ■ "" <>fl MB IW6 !\g /•BWBfIC » ’ ■IB b a 4 W i B \ ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED — Thomas and Patricia Katsanis.’r 1 box 16, Leesburg, announce the engagement of their daughter. Stephanie Lynne Kat . sanis, to Todd Carter Wottring. He is the son of James and Ann Wottring, 8312 Heron Court, Indianapolis. The bride-elect is a 1986 graduate of Wawasee High School and is currently a junior at Grace College studying elementary education. She is employed at Grace College as a secretary in the athletic department. The groom-elect, a 1985 graduate of Lawrence North High School, Indianapolis, attended Grace College. He is employed at Farm Bureau Insurance. Warsaw. The couple will be married March 18 in the Free Methodist Church, Winona Lake.

CALENDAR Week of February 1 To February 8 WEDNESDAY Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 7:45 am., in Town Hall of Syracuse Syracuse Lions Club 6:30 p.m., in the Beacon Restaurant Teen AA Under 20 Group 7 p.m., in Scout Cabin, Syracuse Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 p.m., in Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse, closed meeting Alanon 7:30 p.m., in St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse Order of the Eastern Star 7:30p.m., in Milford Masonic Lodge Syracuse Jaycees 7:30 p.m., in Lakeland Eagles » THURSDAY Wawasee Community Toughlove 7 p.m., in Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse. Parent support group for parents troubled by their teenagers behavior Milford Volunteer Firemen 7 p.m., in Milford Fire Station Milford First Brethren Women’s Missionary Society 7:30p.m. . North Webster American Legion Auxiliary 8 p.m , in the Legion Hall ./wEffSSres. FRIDAY Syracuse-Wawasee Retail Merchants Division 8 a.m., in Pilcher’s Shoes Alcoholics Anonymous Carl Sheperd Memorial Group 7:30 p.m., in Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee,.Syracuse, open meeting SATURDAY Wawasee Kiwanis 7 am., in Gropp’s Syracuse Blood Pressure Check 9a.m-.-noon, in Milford Community Building SUNDAY . S.A.L.T. (Single Adults as Living Testimonies) 9:30 am., Mike’s Soda Shop, North Webster Alcoholics Anonymous Fireball Group 10 a.m., in North Webster Fire Station, open meeting. Heart of Lakes Square Dance Lessons 2-4:30 p.m., in Syracuse Scout Cabin 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. Alateen 8 p.m., North Webster United Methodist Church MONDAY lOb' Lakeland Kiwanis 6:45 a.m., in North Webster Church of God meeting room Syracuse Library Board 5:15 p.m., Syracuse Public Library Milford Lions 7 pm. at Milford Community Building Milford EMS 7 p.m., EMS Building Kosciusko County Fair Board 7:30 p.m., Shrine Building, Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, Warsaw Wawasee High School Music Boosters 7:30. choir room, Wawasee High School Alanon Milford Family Group 7:30 p.m., in Milford United Methodist Church Alcoholics Anonymous Milford Group 7:30 p.m., in Milford United Methodist Church, closed meeting. Alcoholics Anonymous North Webster Group 7:30 p.m . in North Webster United Methodist Church, open meeting TUESDAY /Manon Just For Today 9:30 am., St Andrew's United Methodist Church, Syracuse Syracuse-W awasee Rotary 12 noon. Beacon Restaurant For Fun Group 12 noon, Calvary United Methodist Church. The group is for those 50 years old and up to gather for lunch and a program of special interest to older adults. Milford Library Board 4:30p.m., Milford Public Library Syracuse Park Board 7 p.m., Syracuse Town Hall. Open to public. Womens' Fellowship „ v . 7 p.m., Syracuse Church of the Brethren Kosciusko County Photo Philes Camera Club 7 p m., Kiwanis room above Hull house and Hull Hardware, South Buffalo Street, Warsaw Syracuse-Wawasee Garden Club 7:30p.m. American Legion Auxiliary, Ancil Geiger Unit 226 Milford WEDNESDAY Goodwill Club 1:30 p.m., in the House of Friendship North Webster Town Board •*'*' > 7 p.m., in the town hall Syracuse Fire Department Fire Drill t 7 p.m., fire drill at the fire station Lakeland Eagles Auxiliary Meeting Aerie 3760 7 p.m., in Lakeland Eagles, 404 Sycamore Street, Syracuse Teen AA Under 20 Group 7 p.m., in St Andrew's United Methodist Church, Syracuse Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 pm, in Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee. Syracuse, closed meeting Alanon , 7:30 p.m., in St. Andrew's United Methodist Church. JSyracuse