The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 28, Milford, Kosciusko County, 22 August 1990 — Page 10

10

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., August 22,1990

Summer

Michael Heckaman spent his summer traveling in the USA and the USSR

By JENNIFER WOODW ARD Staff Writer

Michael Heckaman, a bright and innovative young man, is learning about his world firsthand. A spring graduate of Wawasee High School, Mike saved his pennies so he could travel the entire summer. He worked a total of 44 hours a week while attending school in order to save money. “I knew I wanted to go somewhere. I wanted to be able to mix with the people and make a difference,” he explained. Earlier this summer, Mike drove west of the Mississippi and journeyed to California and spent a week on the sunny coast. He then went east to Washington, D.C., and visited the nation’s capital. However, the highlight of Mike’s entire summer was his visit across the ocean waters to the Soviet Union. “It was the best time in my entire life,” he exclaimed adding that he hopes to return again. The trip began on July 22 when he set to the air from the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. This was the last contact he had with his family until his return August 12. Mike explained that contacting the states from the Soviet Union can be a long and tedious process. . Mike traveled as part of a group connected with Volunteers For Peace, an organization that provides work camps for people all over the world. The work camps are sanctioned by the United Nations and instills a sense of knowledge, love and peace for the people of the world. It is a setting where people from diverse cultural backgrounds, who have a variety of social and political views, can live and work together. His traveling group involved people from many countries including Ireland, England, Russia, Canada, France, Belgium, Italy, and others. Mike

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was involved with two separate work camps. One was centered around young people ages 18-25 years from 12 different countries. These people came together and discussed the problems of the world and how they could be solved in a peaceful atmosphere. The other camp was working at an orphanage. It was here that, Mike was able to play with the children, and do various types of maintenance work. However, most of the time was spent free. Mike admitted that he was somewhat disappointed, he had been hoping to make a real difference in these people’s lives by helping out in some way. However, the free time did enable Mike to learn more about the country and gain his own, personal insights. Mike was able to travel throughout the Soviet Union. He visited Moscow, Leningrad, and Volgograd. He even was able to travel to Estonia. Much of the time was spent learning the customs of the people, “They are different in a lot of ways,” explained Mike in comparison to the American way of life, “but, we are very similar.” As he explained the Russians are people, too. They have the same likes, dislikes, fears and hopes as every person does throughout the world. Mike left for the Soviet Union without any preconceived ideas, “I wanted to keep an open mind throughout the whole thing.” He does admit however, that many of the generalizations about the Russian people are true. For instance, “No one smiles.” This may be true even in America with the larger cities. However, Mike pointed out this was true in both the larger and the smaller Russian cities. The lack of common smiles is clearly a custom among the people on the streets. But, when you get to meet the people on a one-to-one basis it’s a different story. “They are so friendly,” Mike notes. He tells of

■■ ■■ If- ■ - St > Owljp w IL 4 - I , )| -z * • Ji y** </ I-i A Ilf y J WORLD TRAVELER — Mike Heckaman of North Webster has been spending his summer traveling the world. Mike recently returned from a work camp he attended in Russia. (Photo by Jennifer Woodward)

the story of a family he had met. He first met the young son one day on the beach, “I gave him a Transformer. It's a real big thing over there ’cause they have nothing like it.” The family was really impressed with Mike and quickly took him under their wing. As a vegetarian, Mike was touched by a vegetarian banquet they gave in his honor. Mike also experienced many other Russian generalizations that are true, “The old women are real tough!” He explained that they are not the frail creatures that America likes to portray. He recalls waiting at a subway and an older lady managed to knock him out of the way against the wall. Russians are also behind, “Very 70’s.’’ Discos are everywhere and are very popular amongst the people. The times and the styles may be somewhat outdated, however the music is very hip. “They’re up on the music because they can get it from the tourists. They like Michael Jackson. Madonna, and a lot of Top 40, and even bard rock.”

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Western culture is very exciting for the Russian people: Mike said that Pepsi is very popular,- but added that it tasted “watered down.” He did add that

Observations from 4-H Fair

By KAREN S. LOWRY Extension Agent 4-H and Youth

4-H is learning! As one of our county 4-H’ers has put it, 4-H is an excuse to learn. 4-H’ers learn through their project work and the fair experience. All the 4-H'ers who completed their projects for the fair learned about winning because every person who follows through on a commitment they have made is a winner. I would like to highlight a few 4-H’ers who were big winners at our fair this year because they grew and learned and gave of themselves for others. The first winner is Latisha Powell. Latisha was enrolled in the cat project, but she was not able to show her cat because it was killed in a house fire. However, Latisha was a part of the cat show and received a participation ribbon because she handed out trophies and ribbons to the the 4-Hers who did participate in the show. The second winner is Michelle Dearinger. Michelle had two lambs enrolled this year in sheep. Her sister, Mary, had one lamb enrolled in sheep. Unfortunately, Mary's lamb died two days after the sheep enrollment date, leaving her without the opportunity to show in the sheep show. However, Michelle allowed Mary to show one of her lambs so Mary

he saw very little Coke throughout his travels. Mike even had the opportunity to see the brand new and very popular McDonalds, “My friends went there at a slow time — it only took them 45 minutes to get through the line,” but later? “People were standing in line for over four hours.” There was even a Baskin Robbins in Moscow, and Mike said that a Pizza Hut is to open in the next two months. Like the American culture, where we are constantly criticizing the national government, so are the Russian people. However, the hatred for Gorbachev has managed to grow after he declared a law restricting the public outcry against his power. Mike showed a wooden egg he had purchased from a Black Market dealer. It was a portrayal of Gorbachev, “If the dealer was caught for this he would be arrested,” he explained. Mike noted that the older generation seemed to respect the leader due to a sense of patriotism, however the younger generation feels contempt toward Gorbachev’s power. Mike pointed out that the Russian people are ready for new ideas, “They want change. They don’t want Communism.” As a believer in peace and the environment, Mike feels we as Americans could learn so much from the Russian people. On a

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KARENS. LOWRY

could be a part of the sheep show. The third winner is Joseph Studebaker. Joseph is involved in both dairy goats and sheep. Joseph was all set with his animals looking forward to the fair. He had a fellow 4-H'er who needed a dairy goat so he sold a wether because he had two Unfortunately for Joseph, one of his does died, one of his lambs died and his goat wether got pneumonia and was-not able to be brought to the fair. Joseph was very discouraged and ready to quit, but he didn't give up He brought his doe to participate in the dairy goat show and a wether to participate in the sheep show at the fair. I commend these three 4-H’ers for their efforts. The examples that they set speak well of them. Their actions typify the attitude and spirit that most 4-H’ers possess.

Craft festival at Ligonier

Preparation is well under way for the 17th annual Stone’s Trace Pioneer Crafts Festival. It will be held September 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The festival is held on the Stone’s Tavern Museum grounds located south of Ligonier at the junction of US 33, and State Road 5. The ham and beans will be served from a new pavillion constructed by Stone's Trace members. Members have also been restoring the Kimmell House, located on the museum grounds Other attractions include the summer kitchen, found behind the Kimmell House. The herb gardens will delight all who stroll through them. Nearby the 21st Indiana Light Artillery will have their authentic Civil War camp.

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political standpoint, Mike noticed a strong sense of peace, “The government pushes peace more openly than the American government. You see many more peace memorials compared to the war memorials that we have.” Mike was very impressed with their use of natural resources, “The Russians are not nearly as materialistic as we are. We are so wasteful in so many ways,” he adds. “They are very conservative with all their resources.” Though the technique may not be

Down home at the state fair

Cows parade across the livestock stage while a booming voice lists their vital statistics. Across the grounds, a group of people puzzle over a mountain of machinery promising agricultural miracles. And, only yards away, children and adults shriek with delight on the soaring Ferris wheel. Yes, it's another celebration of one of America’s favorite traditions, the annual state fair. State fairs have been educating and entertaining the American population for more than 150 years. Originally begun as agricultural fairs modeled after English cattle shows, they have become expositions unique to the United States. From all corners of a state, people gather to view the finest of livestock and produce, the latest in agricultural techniques and scientific inventions, and the newest of hairraising rides and shows. The first state fairs probably began between 1849 and 1853, though local and county fairs started as early as 1820. Their founding is attributed to the promotive efforts of Elkanah Watson, remembered as the “father of the agricultural fair.” Watson established a society for holding cattle shows in New England and then helped establish similar groups in states as far west as Ohio. Other states followed suit, and by the mid-1850s, state organizations for fairs were commonplace. State fairs often have been referred to as “barometers of agricultural progress and motion pictures of commercial and industrial achievement.” They have become clearinghouses for each state and encourage statewide progress. The annual display of grains, fruits, livestock and other indigenous products has sparked a friendly competitive spirit among farmers. They turn out in record numbers, attempting to outdo last year’s finest crops. Industrial exhibits boast the cutting edge of

See demonstrations of stoneware pattery, wool spinning, wood carving, soap making and dulcimer playing. Entertainment will also be part of the festival featuring folk music of Hill and Hollow and the Round Town Ramblers. Nancy Eversole will tell stories and exemplify music from the Appalachian Mountains. The Thistle and Heather Bagpipe Band will perform Scottish tunes while the Grassy Creek Cloggers dance for entertainment. Free parking is available at the West Noble schools, across from the museum grounds. There will also be free shuttle service to the festival grounds. For information, contact the Stone's Trace Historical Society.

sanitary, Mike was amazed at a soda machine he had seen. Unlike the many machines we have that dispenses cans each time, this particular Russian contraption had a drinking glass. If a person is thirsty, he would simply rinse out the glass fill it with the drink and replace. Maybe we would never go to that extreme but, Mike does agree with the Russian people, “We need to learn to not be so wasteful, so materialistic.” Mike will soon be heading off to school this fall where he will enter Vincennes University and

technology, and include vast automotive shows, arrays of electrical appliances and rows of farm machinery. For example, at the Wisconsin State Fair, over 12,000 animals, 700 exhibits and 200 concessions are featured! And to be sure, there is tent after tent of food — savory regional specialties and homemade recipes. “Fairs are the last frontier for the United States,” says Lewis Miller, executive vice president and general manager of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions. “They have become the last showcase for U.S. products. It doesn’t matter what kind of fair it is — county, state or regional — each reflects the different agricultural and technological products of that area.” Os course, no fair is complete without all the vaudeville acts, rides, fireworks, bands and sometimes special appearances by regional stars. Entertainment at fairs can mean big business for people, with some bringing in sports teams. The State Fair of Texas includes Broadway musical, college football games and comprehensive new car show. Still, there are those that stick with the Ferris wheel and merry-go-rounds. Today there are 3,238 fairs in the United States and Canada, attended annually by 158 million people. People interested in information on their state fairs should contact the state chamber of commerce. And remember, after a full day of exhibits and rides,

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study philosophy. His goals in life he admits are rather idealistic, “I would like to see peace and the environment improve. Os course, this may not come true but, I can always hope that someday it will.” Mike has learned much through his travels this past summer and he hopes to continue in future summers. He would love to go to India and discover the various cultures within the land. As for Russia, “I’ll be back, it’s well worthit!”

there’s nothing like sitting down with a slice of award-winning homemade pie to help you appreciate the bounty of your state. Ken Baker deserves more respect Ken Baker, who played Herr Schultz, the German/Jewish grocer in the Enchanted Hills Playhouse production of “Cabaret,” has had a run of hard luck concerning the part. The role of Herr Schultz is a major one in the play about 1930 s Berlin during the rise of Nazi power. And Baker did a standout job in the part, which requires that he play a man three times his age and dance and sing as that man might dance and sing. Yet when the playbill for “Cabaret” was published the role, and Baker’s name, were omitted altogether. Fully aware of this, MailJournal reviewer Bill Spurgeon nonetheless, through what he calls “a mental glitch,” picked up the name Derek Phipps, rather than Baker, as the person who played Schultz. “But it wasn’t,” said Spurgeon. “It was Ken Baker. And he deserves more respect.” Excellent swimmers Porcupines are excellent swimmers because their quills are hollow and help keep them afloat.