The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 21, Milford, Kosciusko County, 5 July 1989 — Page 6

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THE MAIL-JOVRNAL — Wed., July 5, 1989

Community corner

Bill Charlton collects love tokens

. By MARY JANE LORTON Staff Writer The first love token he bought was practically by ' accident.", recalls Bill Charlton of North Webster. Since that purchase in 1970, Bill’s interest in iove tokens has grown to the point th ’ possibly has the most complete type collection (of love tokens) ii. tate." Originally from Milford, Bill has lived in North Weoster for 30 years. He and his wife, Marlene, have lived in the same home, with a gorgeous view of Webster Lake, where they raised their three children: Doug who now lives in Tuscon. Ariz.; Steve of Kimmel: and Deanna Koble of Syracuse. Profile Bill arid Marlene met after high school and they married in November of 1954. Following his education at the International Business College. Fort Wayne and two years in the service. Bill and Marlene moved back to this area in 1958. Bill worked at the Weatherhead Company in Syracuse until 1979: for the last eight years he was the plant controller. Presently employed at United Technologies. Bill continues to work as a cost estimater at their Columbia City location. Although Marlene is not currently practicing, she is a licensed beautician When Bill is not working, he and Marlene enjoy their family. They now have five grandchildren! They also travel to different coin and token shows. Bill first started collecting the tokens "for their beauty and romantic charm," but as the variety of types in his collection increased, his motivation and goals changed. Now his objective is, "to acquire a love token for every denomination and type coin in circulation during the period of their popularity." Love tokens are coins which have at least one side smoothed off. This side is then "made fancy" with the engraving of initials, scenes, names, messages, etc. According to Bill, years ago the tokens were exchanged between sweethearts, usually on Valentine's Day The tradition of exchange came to the United States from England, notes Bill, reaching its peak in popularity around 1880. Not only were tokens given as a sign of love on Valentine's Day. but they were also given to remember birthdays, funerals and other occasions. The gifts came in the forms of necklaces, ear rings, watch fobs. pins, stick pins, and other pieces of jewelry. Silver was the primary target for these intricate etchings, notes

Mobile Meals Drivers BnlT|Aßif Volunteer drivers for Syracuse FRIDAY — Jack Fowler ■ llUwl ■ Mobile Meals have been schedul- Volunteer drivers for Milford ■ U||»l 1 ed as follows: Mobile Meals are : u BlOMiiiMfl INSURANCE MONDAY’ Pauline Firestone MONDAY - Inez Beiswanger I AGENCY TUESDAY — Cap and Mary ■ 11 "■' TUESDAY- Marilvn Finlin- Ann Beer 116 EAST MAIN street WEDNESDAY - Thedi.a SV "* C 9^f7 7 67 WEDNESDAY - Dick Losee (219)45.5300 THURSDAY --June Baker and THURSDAY Myrtle Felkner Performance leadership, CADILLAC STYLE Independent tests prove the new Cadillac DeVille isn’t just turning heads. It’s raising eyebrows. / t i ! jo .T*y^ ; The totally new Cadillac DeVille has been turning a lot of heads with its distinctive new styling and full six passenger luxury But recent tests conducted by the United States Auto Club are also raising a few eyebrows l i r\ Because when USAC compared the DeVille to the Lincoln Continental and Town Car in acceleration, the DeVille won in 0 60 mph acceleration On wet pavement and dry And beat the Lincolns in acceleration at 20 55 mph merging speeds Independent tests prove why the new Cadillac Fleetwood is off to such a fast start. £sl 6 1 i. v . It sno secret that the totally new Cadillac Fleetwood is a d amatic sales success One look at its distinctive new styling and you'll know why But now Fleetwood has earned yet another distinction Because resent United State Auto Club tests proved the Fleetwood accelerates from 0 60 mph faster than the Lincoln Continental and Town Car On wet pavement and dry It even beats these Lincolns in acceleration at 20 55 mph merging speeds See Us Today For A Test Drive THE ONLY WAY TO TRAVEL IS CADILLAC STYLE ™ M U.S. 6 West Jacrdli 3 ™

J \ ' ' \ SR?** /< * * I »«»«•«»«»«»»»•• LOVE TOKEN COLLECTOR — Bill Charlton of North Webster ’ has been collecting love tokens since 1970 when he purchased one by “accident.” His general interest in coins and collecting; can be traced back to 1954 when he accumulated “a huge pile of buffalo nickels." Shown nere. Bill is examining one of his tokens under a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the intricate detail of the engraving. ( Photo bx Mary Jane Lorton)

Bill, but they did make their way onto gold and other coins. He explains, “silver is much easier to engrave than nickel,” for example. Engraving on coins is not done anymore, says Bill, for a variety of reasons. The theory is that years ago engraving was done at carnivals and also done at jewelry stores. At these sites, coins already had designs on them and people would pay to have initials engraved while they waited. Back in those days. Bill remarks, “time wasn’t as valuable as it is now." In addition, when the fad of exchanging tokens reached its peak, it “had taken so many dimes and quarters out of circulation that in 1909 the United States government ruled such pieces as illegal mutilation.” Collecting these tokens has involved a lot more than just “buying" into this hobby, notes Bill. To be a serious collector of anything, really, Bill says a person has to know a lot about what it is they are looking for and dealing with. And, Bill has researched his interest very well. He has a wealth of knowledge on the subject which really makes him a “coin scholar" rather than a coin collector. Bill is very generous with his knowledge of coins and tokens and has shared it with many. For example, he was a guest writer for Coin World, a newspaper, and also helped a boy get an Eagle Scout Badge by helping him earn his coin collecting merit badge. In addition, he has donated several books about coins to area libraries. A charter member and co-founder of the Lakelands Coin Club, Bill tells he is also a member of the Indiana State Numismatic Association and the Central State Numismatic Society. Although Bill normally keeps his collection in a locked box at a bank, he has brought them out on occasion in order to display them at different shows. He has displayed competitively since 1978 and says that his first major achievement was winning Best of Show at an Elkhart show in 1980. His greatest achievement, however, was placing second in the medals and tokens division at a Central States show in 1988. At this particular show, there were at least 360 dealers participating. Bill has displayed and won other awards and recognition, but enthusiasm seems to stem from the history that accompanies the coins and the fun that he has looking for and finding them. “I have always been interested in history," Bill remarks, and a token has “a real history to it.” And Bill invites others to Share in this rich history. Bill summed up his experience collecting when he wrote: "I have found love tokens at flea markets, antique shops and shows, coin club meetings, even one with a metal detector. They can be found anywhere. Don't limit your search. The main thing is to have fun.”

Frir / z iffF / if// >' a Mr XiM. CELEBRATE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY — Mr. and Mrs. Jay Peffley, 42 East Shore Dr., Syracuse, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house, hosted by their children, at the South Shore Country Club, Syracuse, on Sunday , July 2. Peffley. and the former Lucille Daniels, were married July I, 1939, in Alexandria. Ky. They are the parents of two daughters: Mrs. Hamilton (Cheryl) Hanson, Anderson. S.C.: and Mrs. William (Marcia K Zimmer, Huntington. They have two granddaughters. Peffley retired in 1983 from Northern Indiana Public Service Company after 44 years of service, serving 21 years as manager of the Syracuse area. 15 complete AIB courses

Fifteen State Bank of Syracuse employees successfully completed courses through American Institute of Banking during the past two semesters. They are: Ann Cavender, marketing for bankers; Suzi Brouwer, accounting I; Linda Jamiel, accounting 1, analyzing financial statements, and Lotus 1-2-3; Donna Thornhill, principles of banking and Lotus 1-2-3: Rick Morris, principles of banking and analyzing financial statements; Carol Smith, law and banking principles and law and banking

•* i * *i i FIVE GENERATIONS — Five generations gathered recently at Milford Christian Church to celebrate the 90th birthday of Ralph Neff. Milford. Neff, seated, was born May 25, 1899. Directly behind Neff is his niece, Donnabelle Smith of New Paris. Her son. Jim Smith of New Paris is on the right. On the left is Mrs. Smith’s grandson. Joe Smith of Goshen, who is holding his two-month-old daughter. Brittany Renee Smith.

applications; Also,Mary Sielsnew. consumer lending and law and banking applications; Kim Martin, two-in-one selling bank services and Lotus 1-2-3; Jeanetta McDaniel, two-in-one selling bank services and Lotus 1-2-3; Teresa Bartman, commercial lending. Lotus 1-2-3 and advanced Lotus 1-2-3; Agatha Eubank, marketing for bankers, Lotus 1-2-3 and advanced Lotus 1-2-3; Barbara Griffith, Lotus 1-2-3 and advanced Lotus 1-2-3; Kim Weisser. Angie Haines and Gerry Byland, Lotus 1-2-3.

CALENDAR Week Os July 5 To July 12 WEDNESDAY Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce - /FzfflKpx 7:45 a. m., South Shore Golf Club Syracuse Lions Club 6:30p.m., Beacon Restaurant Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 p.m., Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse. Closed meeting Alanon 7:30 p.m., St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, SR 13N, Syracuse Order of the Eastern Star 7:30p.m., Milford Masonic Lodge Syracuse Jaycees 8 p.m., Lakeland Eagles THURSDAY Wawasee Community Toughlove 7 p.m., Lakeland Youth Center, Syracuse. Parent support group for parents troubled by their teenagers behavior. Milford Volunteer Firemen 7 p.m., Milford Fire Station Adult Children of Alcoholics 7:30p.m., Bowen Center, Warsaw Milford First Brethren Women’s Missionary Society ZTyZN 7:30p.m. N’orth Webster American Legion Auxiliary 8 p.m.. Legion Hall * FRIDAY Milford Kiwanis 6:45a.m., Milford Community Building Syracuse-Wawasee Retail Merchants Division 8 am., Pilcher's Shoe Store Alcoholics Anonymous Carl Sheperd Memorial Group 7:30 p.m., now meeting at C.A.R.S. Inc. SR 13, Syracuse. Open meeting SATURDAY Wawasee Kiwanis 7 a.m.. Gropp’s Restaurant, Syracuse Milford Area Development Council, Inc. 9 a.m., Milford Community Building Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Civil Defense 10 a.m., Civil Defense Building Syracuse VFW Ladies Auxiliary 1 p.m. SUNDAY S.A.L.T. (Single Adults as Living Testimonies 9:30a.m., Mike's Soda Shop, North Webster Alcoholics Anonymous Fireball Group 10 a.m., North Webster Fire Station. Open meeting Milford Senior Citizens Carry-in Dinner 1 p.m., Milford Community Building Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday Night Recovery Group 8 p.m.. North Webster United Methodist Church. Closed meeting Alanon Sunday Night Group 8 p.m.. North Webster United Methodist Church. Closed meeting MONDAY Lakeland Kiwanis G: 45 a m.. Church of God meeting room, North Webster Milford Town Board 6:30 p.m., Milford Town Hall FOE Men’s Meeting Aerie 3760 7 p.m., Lakeland Eagles, 404 Sycamore St., Syracuse Alanon, Milford Family Group 7:30 p.m., Milford United Methodist Church Alcoholics Anonymous Milford Group 7:30 p.m . Milford United Methodist Church. Closed meeting Alcoholics Anonymous North Webster Group 7:30 p.m., North Webster United Methodist Church. Open meeting Milford American Legion 8 p.m. TUESDAY .Alanon Just For Today 9:30a.m.. St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, Syracuse Syracuse-Wawasee Rotary 12 noon, Gropp’s Restaurant Home Arts Club 1:30 p.m. Syracuse Business and Professional Women’s Club 6:30p.m. Wawasee Community School Board 7 p.m.. Administration Building Sugar N" Spice 'Bl Club 7:30p.m. Lakeland Art Association 7:30p.m.. Cardinal Center. Warsaw Milford Masons 7:30p.m.. Masonic Lodge Warsaw Chapter of the Compassionate Friends 7:30 p.m., Justice Building Community Room, Warsaw. A support/group for bereaved parents who have lost a child Syracuse Coin Club 7:30 p.m.. Lakeland Youth Center WEDNESDAY Goodwill Club 1:30 p.m.. House of Friendship Syracuse Fire Department Fire Drill 7pm., Syracuse Fire Station Eagles Auxiliary Meeting Aerie 3760 7 p.m.. Lakeland Eagles, 404 Sycamore St.. Syracuse North Webster Town Board 7p.m., North Webster Town Hall Alcoholics Anonymous Wawasee Group 7:30 p.m . Episcopal Retreat House, South Shore Drive, Lake Wawasee. Syracuse. Closed meeting Alanon 7:30 p.m., St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, SR 13N, Syracuse

. , DUST & SON DECORATORS I PAINTING 1 INSURED I RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAIj FREE ESTIMATES 457-2313 Quality Workmanship SYRACUSE