The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 15, Milford, Kosciusko County, 24 May 1989 — Page 4

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., May 24.1989

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Editorial What is Memorial Day? What is Memorial Day? Four area fifth graders were recently asked that question by The Mail-Journal reporter Mary Jane Lorton. Sadly, the youngsters had a hard time providing an answer. Even sadder is the fact that many adults look forward to the holiday solely for the opportunity it provides to set their sights on a picnic table filled with food. While it’s excusable to relax during the special day, time should also be spent thinking of those the day was meant to honor. Celebrated the last Monday in May (May 29) in honor of menibers oLlhe armed forces killed in war. Memorial Day began during the Civil War. It began in Mississippi and Virginia and by 1865 was observed nationally. That year the Adjutant General of the U.S. Army suggested graves be decorated throughout the country. However, war veterans are often the only ones who heed Memorial Day as it was meant to be. Such living veterans should also be honored. A former neighbor, who served as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War 11, is spending his Memorial Day near the verycity he was captured and forced to spend two years in captivity by Japanese forces. He witnessed first hand the brutal Bataan Death March. Many took similar death marches so a different type of marching may be done today — freely, down the streets of the U.S: Take time out from your picnic feast, volleyball game or other leisure events to honor those who made it possible for you to enjoy such activities. MH Senator Coats 'carrying a big stick' Remember the New Jersey high school principal who carried a baseball bat through the halls to ensure discipline? Theodore Roosevelt once said, •’walk softly but carry a big stick. ” U.S. Senator Dan Coats is taking a cue from both of those individuals in his battle against drugs in America's classrooms. The junior senator from Indiana is taking a long-awaited and much-needed approach. A no-nonsense approach to help curb a growing drug problem in the educational system. However, that approach may have come too late. Among ideas advocated by Coats are placing first-time drug offenders in military boot camps and endorsing legislation to exclude current drug and alcohol abusers from the definition of handicapped individuals under the Rehabilitation Act. The latter measure was mostly the result of the act being used to the advantage of drug offenders. The Rehabilitation Act was passed by Congress in 1973. making it illegal for any recipient of federal money to discriminate on the basis of “mental or physical impairments.” However, in the definition of a handicap, the act lists drug addiction along with impairments like blindness and mental retardation. Thus, to expel a drug addict from school is likened to throwing out a student for being confined to a wheelchair. It is-this reasoning that was used to readmit a student to a Washington school after he was expelled for being caught with illegal drugs at a school dance a few years ago. According to the governm nt, the school's drug policy was guilty of discrimination against the handicapped, via the Rehabilitation Act. Such ridiculous incidences has Coats urging congressmen to exclude such drug abusers from the act. The senator has also suggested zero-tolerance level programs, with students _ being dealt with harshly for their first drug offense. Military boot camps may cause some students to open tneir eyes a bit wider. These are just a few of the steps needed to curb the drug problem in America's schools. Even more steps are needed to end the source of the problem ... the drug cartels. However, there may be no stick large enough to stamp out that group. Scarecrows News reports tell of the gradual disappearance of the scarecrow. But no one is sure why these traditional protectors ol seed and crops are utilized less. Some say birds wise up to scarecrows, that the answer is for the farmer to substitute himself for the scarecrow upon occasion. Birds spooked in this manner never forget the sudden movement of the “human” scarecrow and long afterward associate this with the real scarecrow, especially if the clothing worn was similar. Scarecrows date from Greek times and have long been effective with most birds. Building them can be fun! What others say — You can zap the trash Have you watched any television with your children lately 9 Are you uncomfortable with what you’re seeing? What are you doing about it? A recent study by Gallup Pole of 424 parents with children under 18 who watch television together provided some encouraging words. Parents and people are getting fed up with the so-called “trash-TV,’ and are doing something about it by taking their complaints to legislators and program sponsors. They're getting results, too It’s encouraging to know that 58 percent of the parents polled said they were either “frequently” or “occasionally” uncomfortable with something in a TV program they watched with their children. Only 17 percent were “never” uncomfortable, while only 25 percent said they “seldom” were bothered by the programming. Preoccupation with sex, either by sexual suggestion or a more flagrant and overt focus on sex was found co be the leading cause of discomfort. In fact, 46 percent said they were disturbed by it. Violence was next in line, followed by foul language. We commend the 70 percent who are doing something about their discomfort with television by either zapping channels or flipping off the set completely So, you see there is a solution to “trash-TV,” — you can zap it off. Nobody is making you or your children watch the boob tube. If you’re not satisfied with that, step take two more by complaining to your legislators and program sponsors - HENDRICKS COUNTY GUIDE & GAZETTE

|. 'Aw a *"W Wwßp'C"' ■5.. W ■~ . . ...gc ' Memorial is Monday, May 29 — Take time to remember. Court news

County Court The following persons have paid fines and costs in Kosciusko County Court. Judge James Jarrett presiding: Operating DRV Without Proper Registration — Glen R. Wilkey. 24. Syracuse, S6O. Speeding — Keith Rigsby, 27. Leesburg, S6O. Violation Seatbelt Law — Boyd T. Doll. 26. Leesburg. S2O. No Operator's License — Susan fleeter. .37, Leesburg. S6O County Court Goshen Division The following fines have been levied and paid in the Elkhart County Court. Goshen Division Speeding — Karen’S. Call. 48. Syracuse. $53; Richard W. Colvin. 22. Syracuse. $63; Darla A Ringer. 18. Syracuse, SSB. Brent C Weisenauer. 19, Syracuse. SSB; Robert -A. Smits. 28. Syracuse, SSB; Jeanette M. Gaskins, 29. Syracuse. $63; Christopher L. Carboneau. 26. Syracuse. $63; Todd D McKibbin. 19, Syracuse. $56. Melissa A. Medley. 20. Milford. $63; Michael L. Hail ley. 39;' Syracuse, $63; Deborah L. Reese. 29. North Webster, $63; Philip E Price, 23. Syracuse. SSB; Zachry L. Waterson. 16. Syracuse. $63 Over declared gross — Donald Miller. 36. Milford, $23 No transport plate — Donald Miller. 36, Milford. $54 No valid ops — Terri O. Ritter. 34. Syracuse. $54 False registration — Brent C Weisenauer. 19. Syracuse. $54

Four sentenced in Superior Court

Four area residents were sentenced last week in Superior Court for various offenses Robert Allen Secrest. 37, r 2. North Webster, received a two-' year suspended sentence for possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor. An additional charge of operating a motor vehicle while adjudged an habitual traffic offender was dismissed 1 following a plea agreement He was arrested following an incident on May 24. 1988 Tracey O'Hara. 21. Milford, was sentenced to four years in prison with the last two years to be suspended with probation He was arrested in November 1988 for taking several items from Barth in Milford Through a plea agreement, additional charges of burglary and child abuse were f dismissed. ' Steven H Kiser, 38, Syracuse, received a two-year suspended sentence for theft from Pickwick Theater on July 26,1988 Kent Lee Howell, r 2, Leesburg, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana, a Class D felony, and received a one-year suspended sentence. He was charged with

Marriage Licenses The following couples have applied for marriage licenses in the office of Kosciusko County Clerk Jeanne Weirick: Geer-Keiper Chad Roger Geer. 20. 102 N. Jefferson. South Whitley, and Heather Rene Keiper. 18. r 1 box 253. Milford. Doll-Kaiser Dick Arnold Doll. 24, r 1 box 243. Milford, and Julie Ann Kaiser. 20. r 1 box 233. Milford Leemon-Fitch Donald Andrew- Leemon. 34. r 2 box 6A, Milford, and Joyce Ann Fitch,”34. r 2 box 6A. Milford Marriage Dissolutions The following couples have filed for marriage dissolutions in the Kosciusko Superior and Circuit Courts: Bartow — Krista K Bartow. Syracuse, and Tracy Steven Bartow, -Syracuse. The couple was married Feb 4, 1984. and separated in May of 1989. There are three minor children. Circuit Court The following petitions have been filed in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Richard Sand presiding: Complaint For Seizure State of Indiana versus Marc A. Greene, r 2 box 213 D. Leesburg. Petitioner seeks judgement through seizure of 1980 Chevrolet vehicle.

two counts of dealing in marijuana and two counts of possession of marijuana. Through a plea agreement, all but one possession charge were dropped and one charge reduced from a D felony to an A misdemeanor. He was arrested on October 21 and October 24, 1988, for selling more than 30 grams of marijuana.

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"CRUZIN AROUND 'CUSE"

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This week’s column was written by Rev. Richard E. Bunnell, pastor of the St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church.) WELL, HELEN and I (Helen’s my wife) have lived here in the Syracuse J area for about 11 months now and it’s beginning to feel like home. This area has always had a warm spot in our hearts and we hope to be able to stay around for a spell. Sure would be nice if the Bishop would just forget I’m here. When asked to do this article for “Cruzin’ Cuse” I was afraid I would have to go to all the restaurants and businesses in the community with a hidden recorder and come up with the usual scoop that normally appears in this section. Whew! Was I relieved when word came from the top that all I had to do was be myself. So, here we go. I’m just going to try and be myself and have a little fun. Sure hope you will join me for a bit and maybe we can all get a laugh or two. And perhaps we might even learn something, too! —o— BEING A pastor is kinda fun. Many times we are placed in a position where we are expected to give advice. For example, someone comes in who wants to find a career or some profession that they can pursue the rest of their lives. Something that will give meaning, purpose, and dignity. I used to advise young people to go into business for themselves, or go into a profession like dentists or doctors, or perhaps even the ministry. But after 25 years I’ve quit all that. Now I tell them to go right into poverty . . . that’s where the big money is. In fact, I didn’t know my best friend was on welfare until I saw him pay for his groceries with food stamps and walk right out of the store and get into his new Cadillac. I thought to myself, “Self, what is this world coming to?” 1 even talked to one fellow who said that his main goal in life was not to work hard enough to need a deodorant. X Unfortunately, friends, we live in a world that has this kind of mind set. Could it be that we have taught our generation everything except the dignity of human life and work? When a youth was rejected by the college of his choice, he said to his wealthy father: “If you really cared for me, you’d have pulled some wires.” “I know”, replied the father sadly, “the TV, the hifi. and the telephone would have done for a start ” Well, giving advice is not easy. And yet, all of us at times, are called upon to share “words of wisdom" with those whom we love and care about very deeply. May we be loving, forgiving, kind, and gentle in all our relationships. —o—- — SAW a bumper sticker on a teenager’s car recently that read . . . "Make love, not war. Stop driver and ask for details." I wish I would have thought of that when I was a teenage boy. I sure would have had that on my car’s bumper. Come to think about it. I didn't have a bumper. I didn't even have a car. If I was good I got to use my mom's car on Sunday night to go to church and youth fellowship. Wow ! What a big deal! Iler car was what I would call a 1945 Hardly-Able. 1 was hardly able to get to church and back. It squeaked, rattled, and barely rolled. I will say this one thing though, if a girl went out with you in those days, you knew it wasn't because of your new sports car. Those were the good-ole days. Whoops! The younger generation doesn't like to hear about the good-ole days. Right? Well, too bad. they really don't know what they missed, do they? —o— THINK ABOUT this for a moment ... . (from Wings of Thought) "For good health, avoid these exercises: carrying grudges, flying into a rage, stretching the truth, jumping to conclusions, digging up old scandals, going on wild goose chases, patting yourself on the back, and raking people over the coals.” Now that sounds like good advice to me. Isn’t it interesting that the supply of good advice has always been plentiful — but it’s the continuous demand for good example that's hard to fill. —O—HERE'S ONE for school teachers. A young lady came before the judge of the traffic court to answer the charge of running through a red light. She explained to the judge that she was a school teacher and asked that he take care of her case quickly so she could get back to her class. "Well, well," the judge said, “So. you're a school teacher. I have been waiting for years to get a school teacher in my court. You sit right down at that table and write ‘I will not run a red light again'. 500 times.” No offense, teachers, just a joke. o— MANY TIMES as a pastor I am called upon to speak for special programs and services outside my local church. (By the way, iri case you didn’t know it. I'm the new pastor at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church — we're the one on the north side of the tracks). Anyway, back to speaking ... You would be amazed at some of the introductions that I've heard through the years. For example: “Our speaker tonight will not |x>re you with a long speech — he can do it with a short one.” “Our speaker for the evening is rapidly becoming an institution — which is where he belongs " “Our speaker this morning

speaks straight from the shoulder. To bad his remarks don’t start from higher up.” “Our speaker of the evening needs no introduction. What he needs is a conclusion." And then there is the classic introduction: “Ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to present to you one of the most outstanding speakers in our community . . . and as I introduce him I want you to know that I am always amazed how an after-dinner speaker can eat so much chicken and ham and be so full of bull.” Well, after any introduction like those above, I can hardly wait sometimes to hear what I’m going to say myself. But public speaking is fun. and one never quite knows how things are going to turn out until they turn out. And, sometimes, you just wish they would turn out the lights —for the party is really over. AND NOW a word to our graduates. I want to say CONGRATULATIONS to all the young people who are graduating this year from various levels of education. Many of you have, had a wonderful year. Many of you may have had a really tough year; but you made it — and I personally “tip my hat" to your accomplishments. Someone has said: “Youth is not properly definable by age. But it is a spirit of daring, creating, asserting life, and openly relating to the world around us.” And, in that spirit. I would encourage you to determine within yourself to be the very best person you can be; desire to live a life of personal integrity and fortitude; dedicate yourself to "something" or “someone" higher than yourself; and dare to stand up for something that is noble, good, and true. Someone has well said: “WHAT I AM IS GOD’S GIFT TO ME ... and . . . WHAT I BECOME IS MY GIFT TO GOD!” Young people, graduates, may your life be the greatest gift ever given!!!! Again, CONGRATULATIONS! —o— WELL. BEFORE I bring this writing to a close, I reallv would like to say something about MEMORIAL DAY. After all. Memorial Day weekend is far more than a 500 mile race run in Indianapolis each year. It is a very special time of the year. It is the time of remembering. It is a time of looking back to those precious moments that we have spent with family and friends who are now no longer w ith us. And as we remember, if we listen real close, we may even hear some of these voices still speaking to us today. I can remember my father, who one day disciplined me for something that I had done — and like many teenagers I tried to get in the last word. I remember my dad saying, after he had spanked me: "Son, if there is any one thing you need to learn here in our home — it’s respect. Respect for me. Respect for your mother. And respect for yourself. You will never become a responsible young man until you learn respect." "Son", he said, "some day when I’m gone you'll appreciate me. and you’ll appreciate what I've just told you." Six weeks after this experience my father died of a heart-attack. I was 14 years .old. And his words. "Son, someday when I’m gone you’ll appreciate me”, have lived on in my life until this very dav. My father has been dead almost 39 years — BUT HIS VOICE STILL SPEAKS! As we celebrate this Memorial Day may each of us in our own way listen to the voices of those who have gone before us. And as we listen we will hear words of love, words of kindness, words of encouragement, and perhaps even words of discipline that have shaped and influenced our lives. —o— WELL, I’M going to close this little session. I hope it has been as much fun for you as it has for me. Who knows, maybe our paths will cross as we live and share our lives together here in "GOD’S" Country. But. before I go. here's a little ditty to latch onto: ."CHEERFULNESS" is contagious, but don’t wait to catch it from others. Be a "CARRIER ", —o—--REB CONGRATULATIONS TO T.L. Jackson. Inc., and Legacy Homes. Inc., both of Syracuse, for being named the Peoples' Choice Award at the 19X9 Kosciusko Parade of Homes last week. Legacy Homes, Inc., also was voted as having the best exterior and best landscaping. Tom and Pati Jackson are owners of T.L. Jackson. Inc. Rich and Joan Delagrange own Legacy Homes. Inc. —o— SYRACUSE TOWN Board President. Jim Hughes, lived up to his word last week. Hughes had previously stated he would donate $11)0 towards the new gazebo at Lakeside Park when ground was broken. Ground breaking ceremonies were conducted last Thursday evening. Shortly after the ceremonies he handed Kip Schumm, park board president, a SIOO check, making good on his word. —o— TWO GRADUATIONS in one week? That was the situation Mike and Darlene Calobrace found themselves in recently when both their sons graduated. The Calobraces own the Sleepy Owl Restaurant. Mike's son Brad graduated from Indiana University Medical School on Sunday, May 14. The Calobrace's younger son. Sam, graduated from St Andrew's Nursery School on Wednesday evening. May 17. —o—(Continued on page 5-)