Letters to the Editor 07-17-2000

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By -

- Declaration Of Independence - Rehabilitating Criminals - Jail Ministry - Fair Entertainment


Declaration Of Independence

Editor, Times-Union:
At 81 years of age, I am looking forward to voting in the fall election. Just before the Fourth, I read again the Declaration of Independence in a magazine which I receive. A warm glow came to heart and mind as I read "All men are created equal ... are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights ... among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Recent scandals have disheartened many from helping to keep the republic, a place where supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote. The cynical media barrage has made a living citizenship seem pointless. Many began to limit their source of information, political and otherwise, to television. This avenue, driven by hunger for influence and money, made political involvement so expensive that it seemed unattainable. Television time for politics is too profit-driven to properly inform. The result is voter apathy, due to ignorance, which is expensive.

We citizens defeat cynicism and our self-doubt by empowering ourselves by intelligent, informed voting, thereby impacting politics. We must keep a passion for the American possibility as outlined in the Declaration of Independence: "Citizenship is a practical skill we can learn and teach as we actively question and consult with our representatives at all levels of government." Thereby, we can assure what happens at election time will guarantee that "Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ..." as the Declaration of Independence declares.

C.L. Hendrix
Winona Lake

Rehabilitating Criminals

Editor, Times-Union:
My name is David Felix and I am an inmate at the Kosciusko County Jail, sentenced to 10 years in prison. And the reason I am writing this is to tell the community about three very dear and special ladies by the names of Barb Klosinski, the owner of Bibles-n-Books on Roosevelt Street in Warsaw; Sandra Frush; and Wanda Carter.

It is my opinion that these three women should be recognized for their tireless efforts at touching the hearts of many inmates in Kosciusko County as well as the surrounding counties. Those three ladies are doing what too few people are ... taking the steps towards rehabilitating criminals! For example:

Barb Klosinski has attended the church services here at the jail bringing Bibles, books and loving support. And the Bibles, I might add, aren't just regular Bibles. They are in-depth study Bibles ranging anywhere from $35 to $80 apiece, and the love isn't just regular love. It is a love that shows no type of prejudice or regard to person or crime. She is always lifting her voice up to prayer for people like us.

Sandra Frush and Wanda Carter ... I find it hard to find the words to describe these two very joy-filled and loving ladies. Every Tuesday and Thursday they are here to listen, counsel and love the inmates. They hold classes from anger management to parenting skills to even arts and crafts. They are always the first to ask for a hug. I really cannot describe the joy that these two radiate.

You see, people of all types need people like these ... people who will love just because they are a precious child of God. The smiles they share are nothing but warming, welcomed and contagious. They are what inmates - inmates who feel that no one cares about, inmates who have never experienced true and unconditional love - need and seek.

These ladies don't see society's worst ... These ladies don't see trash ... They see potential.

I can only speak for myself, but I know many will agree when I write, I needed the faith, support and love these ladies have showed me. It has been the fuel to seek better for myself and family.

Thank you Barb, Sandra and Wanda.

With much love and appreciation.

David Felix
Kosciusko County Jail

Jail Ministry

Editor, Times-Union:
On Tuesday, a camera crew from Channel 16 will be coming to Warsaw to film the Tuesday evening church service at the Kosciusko County Jail. This will air on Wednesday as part of WNDU's "faith series."

Having been born and raised in Michigan City, which is where our state prison is located, I must admit that I never gave much thought to that facility or any other. It was there on the west side of town, but didn't affect my life, so I never thought much about it. Same thing when it came to living in a communtity where the county jail was located. However, I have been acquainted with John Boren for a number of years and have seen the work he is doing as chaplain at our county jail. He is a dedicated man who desires to help these men change their lives. We are so blessed as a community to have a sheriff who has the same desire.

Over the last several months, I have been privileged to watch the work of the "jail ministry." There is an exciting, vibrant church meeting within those walls. I have also come to realize that the people within those walls are husbands, sons, wives, daughters and individuals with needs just like you and I. They have made mistakes, but so have I. The word prison or prisoners is found over 150 times in the Bible. In Matthew 25, we read that God intends for us to "visit" the prisoners. As I have been involved with the ministry and working in the jail library, I have been so impressed with the work that John and the other volunteers, like Helga Tess, who works with the female population, are doing. I have heard the women tell how much respect they have for Robin Rovenstine (our sheriff's wife), who on her own spends time with the female inmates, and encourages them in so many ways.

What a unique opportunity we have in this community, for churches to get behind the jail ministry, and support it with funds, prayer and encouragement. And ultimately to see lives changed. If any of our area churches would like more information, or have a jail ministry service at your church, please call the jail ministry office at 267-5227 or Bibles 'n Books, at 269-4169.

Please don't take for granted the work that our law enforcement people do, and remember them in prayer. Not only our Sheriff Rovenstine and his deputies and staff, but also our local police force and our state police.

Barb Klosinski
Jail librarian
via e-mail

Fair Entertainment

Editor, Times-Union:
I have traveled many miles and paid a lot for tickets to see Reba, Vince, George, Alan, Brooks and Dunn - to name a few. They are all excellent entertainers.

On Tuesday evening, I drove eight miles to the Kosciusko County Fair, paid $3 admission and saw The Fox Brothers. Their humor and harmony were the best of the best!

On Wednesday, I again drove eight miles to the county fair, paid my $3 admission and saw The Wright Brothers. Their harmony and songs were better than the best.

Two very enjoyable evenings for a total of $6.

People -Êwhere were you?
I hope the fair board has them back next year. I'll drive the miles and pay the price.

Connie Jordan
Warsaw

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- Declaration Of Independence - Rehabilitating Criminals - Jail Ministry - Fair Entertainment


Declaration Of Independence

Editor, Times-Union:
At 81 years of age, I am looking forward to voting in the fall election. Just before the Fourth, I read again the Declaration of Independence in a magazine which I receive. A warm glow came to heart and mind as I read "All men are created equal ... are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights ... among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Recent scandals have disheartened many from helping to keep the republic, a place where supreme power rests in all the citizens entitled to vote. The cynical media barrage has made a living citizenship seem pointless. Many began to limit their source of information, political and otherwise, to television. This avenue, driven by hunger for influence and money, made political involvement so expensive that it seemed unattainable. Television time for politics is too profit-driven to properly inform. The result is voter apathy, due to ignorance, which is expensive.

We citizens defeat cynicism and our self-doubt by empowering ourselves by intelligent, informed voting, thereby impacting politics. We must keep a passion for the American possibility as outlined in the Declaration of Independence: "Citizenship is a practical skill we can learn and teach as we actively question and consult with our representatives at all levels of government." Thereby, we can assure what happens at election time will guarantee that "Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ..." as the Declaration of Independence declares.

C.L. Hendrix
Winona Lake

Rehabilitating Criminals

Editor, Times-Union:
My name is David Felix and I am an inmate at the Kosciusko County Jail, sentenced to 10 years in prison. And the reason I am writing this is to tell the community about three very dear and special ladies by the names of Barb Klosinski, the owner of Bibles-n-Books on Roosevelt Street in Warsaw; Sandra Frush; and Wanda Carter.

It is my opinion that these three women should be recognized for their tireless efforts at touching the hearts of many inmates in Kosciusko County as well as the surrounding counties. Those three ladies are doing what too few people are ... taking the steps towards rehabilitating criminals! For example:

Barb Klosinski has attended the church services here at the jail bringing Bibles, books and loving support. And the Bibles, I might add, aren't just regular Bibles. They are in-depth study Bibles ranging anywhere from $35 to $80 apiece, and the love isn't just regular love. It is a love that shows no type of prejudice or regard to person or crime. She is always lifting her voice up to prayer for people like us.

Sandra Frush and Wanda Carter ... I find it hard to find the words to describe these two very joy-filled and loving ladies. Every Tuesday and Thursday they are here to listen, counsel and love the inmates. They hold classes from anger management to parenting skills to even arts and crafts. They are always the first to ask for a hug. I really cannot describe the joy that these two radiate.

You see, people of all types need people like these ... people who will love just because they are a precious child of God. The smiles they share are nothing but warming, welcomed and contagious. They are what inmates - inmates who feel that no one cares about, inmates who have never experienced true and unconditional love - need and seek.

These ladies don't see society's worst ... These ladies don't see trash ... They see potential.

I can only speak for myself, but I know many will agree when I write, I needed the faith, support and love these ladies have showed me. It has been the fuel to seek better for myself and family.

Thank you Barb, Sandra and Wanda.

With much love and appreciation.

David Felix
Kosciusko County Jail

Jail Ministry

Editor, Times-Union:
On Tuesday, a camera crew from Channel 16 will be coming to Warsaw to film the Tuesday evening church service at the Kosciusko County Jail. This will air on Wednesday as part of WNDU's "faith series."

Having been born and raised in Michigan City, which is where our state prison is located, I must admit that I never gave much thought to that facility or any other. It was there on the west side of town, but didn't affect my life, so I never thought much about it. Same thing when it came to living in a communtity where the county jail was located. However, I have been acquainted with John Boren for a number of years and have seen the work he is doing as chaplain at our county jail. He is a dedicated man who desires to help these men change their lives. We are so blessed as a community to have a sheriff who has the same desire.

Over the last several months, I have been privileged to watch the work of the "jail ministry." There is an exciting, vibrant church meeting within those walls. I have also come to realize that the people within those walls are husbands, sons, wives, daughters and individuals with needs just like you and I. They have made mistakes, but so have I. The word prison or prisoners is found over 150 times in the Bible. In Matthew 25, we read that God intends for us to "visit" the prisoners. As I have been involved with the ministry and working in the jail library, I have been so impressed with the work that John and the other volunteers, like Helga Tess, who works with the female population, are doing. I have heard the women tell how much respect they have for Robin Rovenstine (our sheriff's wife), who on her own spends time with the female inmates, and encourages them in so many ways.

What a unique opportunity we have in this community, for churches to get behind the jail ministry, and support it with funds, prayer and encouragement. And ultimately to see lives changed. If any of our area churches would like more information, or have a jail ministry service at your church, please call the jail ministry office at 267-5227 or Bibles 'n Books, at 269-4169.

Please don't take for granted the work that our law enforcement people do, and remember them in prayer. Not only our Sheriff Rovenstine and his deputies and staff, but also our local police force and our state police.

Barb Klosinski
Jail librarian
via e-mail

Fair Entertainment

Editor, Times-Union:
I have traveled many miles and paid a lot for tickets to see Reba, Vince, George, Alan, Brooks and Dunn - to name a few. They are all excellent entertainers.

On Tuesday evening, I drove eight miles to the Kosciusko County Fair, paid $3 admission and saw The Fox Brothers. Their humor and harmony were the best of the best!

On Wednesday, I again drove eight miles to the county fair, paid my $3 admission and saw The Wright Brothers. Their harmony and songs were better than the best.

Two very enjoyable evenings for a total of $6.

People -Êwhere were you?
I hope the fair board has them back next year. I'll drive the miles and pay the price.

Connie Jordan
Warsaw

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