Letters to the Editor 11-04-1999
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Walton Payton - Animal Welfare - Pierceton Says Thanks - Student Council - The Old Days - Band Boosters - Accident Help
Walton Payton
Editor, Times-Union:Over the past two weeks the sports world has lost four unique athletes in improbable ways. One attributed to a horrific crash, another to an eerie plane crash, another to an unexplained heart-attack and the latest to a rare liver disease which claimed the life of Walter Payton. I would not consider myself to be a Chicago Bears fan, in fact I detested the Super Bowl Shuffle. But through it all, I always considered Walter Payton above the self-grandeuring Bears of 1985. Walter Payton never did the "Ickey Shuffle" or the "Dirty Bird" when he crossed the goal line, not to mention the "California Quake." Walter Payton handed the ball to one of his linemen to do whatever seemed necessary. This was Walter Payton in a microcosm.Ê If only Payton were much bigger then I am quite sure he would have rather blocked for someone else and given them the accolades.Ê
Walter Payton was known to take on many a feared defender bent on cruel intentions. Unfortunately Payton could not run around, through or over his latest obstacle. But in Payton-like class, he battled ferociously and privately.ÊWalter Payton's son Jared faced in many ways a more unforgiving opponent in the media, than the Steel Curtain defense much like his father, heroic. Walter Payton lost his father at the tender age of 23 and I could not help but think that destiny once again dealt the Payton family a hand with no trump cards.Ê
Walter Payton stood for everything that is good in this society.Ê Payton never received his due in the annuls of sports history.Ê Perhaps if the Bears would have drafted Joe Montana in 1979 instead of Willie McClendon (Florida running back who never panned out) like Jim Finks wanted, then maybe perhaps the Bears would have won a few more Super Bowls. Then perhaps Payton would have rocketed up ESPN's list of the 50 greatest athletes of the 20th century; he might have even passed Jackie Joyner-Kersee.Ê
I never personally witnessed Payton in action, something that I regret. But there are enough memories of past ballgames to understand the class which eludes many athletes of present. I encourage any parent to buy a copy of "Pure Payton" and show their children how the game is supposed to be played. With apologies to Charles Barkley, athletes are role models. I cannot ever remember Payton sidestepping that. And Walter Payton carried that moniker with the grace and dignity of his dives over the top into the endzone.Ê
Quite possibly a never more appropriate nickname was "Sweetness" when speaking in terms of Walter Payton. Payton punctuated that with an indelible mark of "Greatness." Payton was not ever viewed as a great black athlete. He was viewed as a great human being, because he knew who he was. He did not have to be told. Those of us who knew of Walter Payton and his hijinks would not be surprised to think that he has sneaked behind God somehow and lit a firecracker at this very moment. Walter Jerry Payton, you will be sorely missed. Heaven is a better place today because of your absence on earth.
Rick A. Blue, Warsaw via e-mail
Animal Welfare
Editor, Times-Union:The Board of Directors of the Animal Welfare League has designated November 15th through December 15th to be AWL Employee Appreciation Month. During this period, any money collected from the "Sad Dog Banks" plus any donations earmarked for the Employee Appreciation Fund will be used for Christmas bonuses, gifts and a Christmas party for these deserving employees. The Board would like everyone to join us in thanking Tracey Yates, Trina Menzie, Kara Choate, Danny Shepherd, Amber Paseka, Ray Myers, Justin Miner and Stephanie Zeisig for their efforts. Several AWL members are currently preparing gift baskets for these employees. The AWL employees often put in volunteer hours that they are not paid for, as well as volunteering on their days off when it's necessary.
With the recently increased allocation from the Kosciusko County Council the AWL will be able to continue to maintain the shelter. However, we still are not financially able to offer benefits or raises to these employees. Please join us in our show of appreciation by stopping in to thank these wonderful employees and the volunteers for their hard work. Too often their efforts get overlooked in the day-to-day operation of the shelter.
Donations for the EAF can be mailed to:
AWL
P.O. Box 1906
Warsaw, IN 46581
Thank you in advance from the animals and their dedicated caretakers.
Board of Directors
Animal Welfare League
Bob Brilliandt
Warsaw
via e-mail
P.S. With Christmas fast approaching a very thoughtful gift to animal loving friends and relatives might be an Animal Welfare League membership. Adult memberships are $20 per year. Junior (under age 12) are $10 per year. Four-legged is only $1 per year. We currently have 21 lifetime members and would welcome more. The one-time cost is only $250.
Pierceton Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:The Pierceton/Washington Township Park Board would like to thank (all the people and organizations who helped) for their assistance in making the 1999 year a success. Over 300 children participated in organized activities this season at the park. These activities included softball, baseball, T-Ball and tennis. Many more families enjoyed the playground and picnic pavilions throughout the summer.
Plans for 2000 include more playground equipment by the Pony League diamond and a new coat of paint in several areas. If you have any ideas or questions concerning the park please give a park board member a call.
Pierceton/Washington Township Park Board:
Roger Boggs, Frank Rhoades, Deb Thomas, Cindy Kreger, Jeff Bolinger
Student Council
Editor, Times-Union:So many times, high school teenagers are in the papers for things they have done wrong. I want to tell about some teenagers that have been so helpful to me.
Recently WCHS had their second annual BLITZ. This is a day when WCHS students form small groups and provide services around the community. WCHS student council came to my rescue after having surgery recently. Five or six of them came one Saturday morning, in the rain, and raked the leaves that I was unable to. They wouldn't accept payment or a donation for all the hard work they did. They did a wonderful job and their kindness is greatly appreciated.
Mrs. Richard Bussard, Warsaw
The Old Days
Editor, Times-Union:Well, summer has come and gone, which means that most of the flies and bees have also made their departure. Some claim that during the past summer, the flies have been plentiful; however, years ago, before all of the sprays and insecticides became common, flies practically took over the universe.
I'm sure that all of you senior citizens remember flypaper. In years past, folks used it everywhere. There were long, coiled strips of flypaper hanging from the ceiling. Sheets of sticky, poisonous flypaper lay on tables, stands and cupboards. And even flypaper frequented that little "convenience" building out back that had to be visited once in awhile.
In days of yore, the flyswatter during the hot summer months was put to much greater use than it's used today. Flyswatters were especially tough on windows - that is, most flies were bound to light on a nice, clean window. But, clean window or not, if an individual was bound to get that nasty fly, he would aim that swatter at the window, then there would be a spattered smear to mess up that sparkling clean window, until the window no longer sparkled.
Before the common use of insecticides, it was during picnic time when the flies really had a field day. First, there was the picnic table all decorated with a bright, colorful tablecloth and covered with dishes of delectable goodies, such as potato salad, baked beans, golden brown fried chicken and a gorgeous chocolate cake. Then, all of a sudden, there comes a swarm of flies landing all over the food until the picnicker completely loses his appetite.
In the old days, flies truly invaded the barns especially at milking time, and the milker often became the victim of a good hard swat or two across the face from the tail of an irritated bovine. (Good reader, do you suppose that it was a fly that set off Mrs. O'Leary's cow when "Bossy" kicked over the lantern which caused the Great Chicago Fire in 1871?)
And now, come the bees: honeybees, bumblebees and sweatbees.
My Uncle Ernest developed a bad case of arthritis. Uncle Ernest also had beehives in his backyard. So, one day the bees went berserk and stung Uncle Ernest over nearly every section of his body. Well, the poor man went through agony, then he soaked himself in a tub of hot water. After that, it wasn't long before the arthritis left and he started feeling good again. (So, apparently, there must be something in a bee sting that becomes a healing balm to that dreaded malady known as arthritis.)
I expect that, years ago, when flies and bees were so rampant, mortals became disgusted enough to mutter to each dreadful little arthropod: "Don't 'bee' a pest! Just 'fly' away, baby!"
Don Kaiser, Warsaw
Band Boosters
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the WCHS Band Boosters, I would like to take this time to thank the dedicated staff in the band program for all their work during the 1999 marching season. Also a big thank you to the parents for assisting with the pit crew, serving as chaperones, helping with fund-raisers and uniforms in addition to feeding the kids all season long. Thanks also to the trucking companies who volunteered their services in transporting our equipment throughout the marching season. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the band members themselves for an outstanding season. It was certainly a pleasure to be a part of the Tiger Pride Marching Band.
Barb Lindquist, president, WCHS Band Boosters
Accident Help
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to thank everyone for their care and helping me after my auto accident Sept. 27, including Multi-Township EMS, the Warsaw Police Department, the KCH Emergency Room and Home Health Care.
And a big "heartfelt thank you" to my wonderful children and family who have all provided me with meals and "Tender Loving Care."
A very special thanks to my pastor and for all the prayers for me at Redeemer Lutheran Church and to God for helping me to survive this ordeal, and to all my Warsaw friends who have remembered me with cards and phone calls. Thanks to you all.
Elaine Bell, Warsaw
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- Walton Payton - Animal Welfare - Pierceton Says Thanks - Student Council - The Old Days - Band Boosters - Accident Help
Walton Payton
Editor, Times-Union:Over the past two weeks the sports world has lost four unique athletes in improbable ways. One attributed to a horrific crash, another to an eerie plane crash, another to an unexplained heart-attack and the latest to a rare liver disease which claimed the life of Walter Payton. I would not consider myself to be a Chicago Bears fan, in fact I detested the Super Bowl Shuffle. But through it all, I always considered Walter Payton above the self-grandeuring Bears of 1985. Walter Payton never did the "Ickey Shuffle" or the "Dirty Bird" when he crossed the goal line, not to mention the "California Quake." Walter Payton handed the ball to one of his linemen to do whatever seemed necessary. This was Walter Payton in a microcosm.Ê If only Payton were much bigger then I am quite sure he would have rather blocked for someone else and given them the accolades.Ê
Walter Payton was known to take on many a feared defender bent on cruel intentions. Unfortunately Payton could not run around, through or over his latest obstacle. But in Payton-like class, he battled ferociously and privately.ÊWalter Payton's son Jared faced in many ways a more unforgiving opponent in the media, than the Steel Curtain defense much like his father, heroic. Walter Payton lost his father at the tender age of 23 and I could not help but think that destiny once again dealt the Payton family a hand with no trump cards.Ê
Walter Payton stood for everything that is good in this society.Ê Payton never received his due in the annuls of sports history.Ê Perhaps if the Bears would have drafted Joe Montana in 1979 instead of Willie McClendon (Florida running back who never panned out) like Jim Finks wanted, then maybe perhaps the Bears would have won a few more Super Bowls. Then perhaps Payton would have rocketed up ESPN's list of the 50 greatest athletes of the 20th century; he might have even passed Jackie Joyner-Kersee.Ê
I never personally witnessed Payton in action, something that I regret. But there are enough memories of past ballgames to understand the class which eludes many athletes of present. I encourage any parent to buy a copy of "Pure Payton" and show their children how the game is supposed to be played. With apologies to Charles Barkley, athletes are role models. I cannot ever remember Payton sidestepping that. And Walter Payton carried that moniker with the grace and dignity of his dives over the top into the endzone.Ê
Quite possibly a never more appropriate nickname was "Sweetness" when speaking in terms of Walter Payton. Payton punctuated that with an indelible mark of "Greatness." Payton was not ever viewed as a great black athlete. He was viewed as a great human being, because he knew who he was. He did not have to be told. Those of us who knew of Walter Payton and his hijinks would not be surprised to think that he has sneaked behind God somehow and lit a firecracker at this very moment. Walter Jerry Payton, you will be sorely missed. Heaven is a better place today because of your absence on earth.
Rick A. Blue, Warsaw via e-mail
Animal Welfare
Editor, Times-Union:The Board of Directors of the Animal Welfare League has designated November 15th through December 15th to be AWL Employee Appreciation Month. During this period, any money collected from the "Sad Dog Banks" plus any donations earmarked for the Employee Appreciation Fund will be used for Christmas bonuses, gifts and a Christmas party for these deserving employees. The Board would like everyone to join us in thanking Tracey Yates, Trina Menzie, Kara Choate, Danny Shepherd, Amber Paseka, Ray Myers, Justin Miner and Stephanie Zeisig for their efforts. Several AWL members are currently preparing gift baskets for these employees. The AWL employees often put in volunteer hours that they are not paid for, as well as volunteering on their days off when it's necessary.
With the recently increased allocation from the Kosciusko County Council the AWL will be able to continue to maintain the shelter. However, we still are not financially able to offer benefits or raises to these employees. Please join us in our show of appreciation by stopping in to thank these wonderful employees and the volunteers for their hard work. Too often their efforts get overlooked in the day-to-day operation of the shelter.
Donations for the EAF can be mailed to:
AWL
P.O. Box 1906
Warsaw, IN 46581
Thank you in advance from the animals and their dedicated caretakers.
Board of Directors
Animal Welfare League
Bob Brilliandt
Warsaw
via e-mail
P.S. With Christmas fast approaching a very thoughtful gift to animal loving friends and relatives might be an Animal Welfare League membership. Adult memberships are $20 per year. Junior (under age 12) are $10 per year. Four-legged is only $1 per year. We currently have 21 lifetime members and would welcome more. The one-time cost is only $250.
Pierceton Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union:The Pierceton/Washington Township Park Board would like to thank (all the people and organizations who helped) for their assistance in making the 1999 year a success. Over 300 children participated in organized activities this season at the park. These activities included softball, baseball, T-Ball and tennis. Many more families enjoyed the playground and picnic pavilions throughout the summer.
Plans for 2000 include more playground equipment by the Pony League diamond and a new coat of paint in several areas. If you have any ideas or questions concerning the park please give a park board member a call.
Pierceton/Washington Township Park Board:
Roger Boggs, Frank Rhoades, Deb Thomas, Cindy Kreger, Jeff Bolinger
Student Council
Editor, Times-Union:So many times, high school teenagers are in the papers for things they have done wrong. I want to tell about some teenagers that have been so helpful to me.
Recently WCHS had their second annual BLITZ. This is a day when WCHS students form small groups and provide services around the community. WCHS student council came to my rescue after having surgery recently. Five or six of them came one Saturday morning, in the rain, and raked the leaves that I was unable to. They wouldn't accept payment or a donation for all the hard work they did. They did a wonderful job and their kindness is greatly appreciated.
Mrs. Richard Bussard, Warsaw
The Old Days
Editor, Times-Union:Well, summer has come and gone, which means that most of the flies and bees have also made their departure. Some claim that during the past summer, the flies have been plentiful; however, years ago, before all of the sprays and insecticides became common, flies practically took over the universe.
I'm sure that all of you senior citizens remember flypaper. In years past, folks used it everywhere. There were long, coiled strips of flypaper hanging from the ceiling. Sheets of sticky, poisonous flypaper lay on tables, stands and cupboards. And even flypaper frequented that little "convenience" building out back that had to be visited once in awhile.
In days of yore, the flyswatter during the hot summer months was put to much greater use than it's used today. Flyswatters were especially tough on windows - that is, most flies were bound to light on a nice, clean window. But, clean window or not, if an individual was bound to get that nasty fly, he would aim that swatter at the window, then there would be a spattered smear to mess up that sparkling clean window, until the window no longer sparkled.
Before the common use of insecticides, it was during picnic time when the flies really had a field day. First, there was the picnic table all decorated with a bright, colorful tablecloth and covered with dishes of delectable goodies, such as potato salad, baked beans, golden brown fried chicken and a gorgeous chocolate cake. Then, all of a sudden, there comes a swarm of flies landing all over the food until the picnicker completely loses his appetite.
In the old days, flies truly invaded the barns especially at milking time, and the milker often became the victim of a good hard swat or two across the face from the tail of an irritated bovine. (Good reader, do you suppose that it was a fly that set off Mrs. O'Leary's cow when "Bossy" kicked over the lantern which caused the Great Chicago Fire in 1871?)
And now, come the bees: honeybees, bumblebees and sweatbees.
My Uncle Ernest developed a bad case of arthritis. Uncle Ernest also had beehives in his backyard. So, one day the bees went berserk and stung Uncle Ernest over nearly every section of his body. Well, the poor man went through agony, then he soaked himself in a tub of hot water. After that, it wasn't long before the arthritis left and he started feeling good again. (So, apparently, there must be something in a bee sting that becomes a healing balm to that dreaded malady known as arthritis.)
I expect that, years ago, when flies and bees were so rampant, mortals became disgusted enough to mutter to each dreadful little arthropod: "Don't 'bee' a pest! Just 'fly' away, baby!"
Don Kaiser, Warsaw
Band Boosters
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the WCHS Band Boosters, I would like to take this time to thank the dedicated staff in the band program for all their work during the 1999 marching season. Also a big thank you to the parents for assisting with the pit crew, serving as chaperones, helping with fund-raisers and uniforms in addition to feeding the kids all season long. Thanks also to the trucking companies who volunteered their services in transporting our equipment throughout the marching season. Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the band members themselves for an outstanding season. It was certainly a pleasure to be a part of the Tiger Pride Marching Band.
Barb Lindquist, president, WCHS Band Boosters
Accident Help
Editor, Times-Union:I would like to thank everyone for their care and helping me after my auto accident Sept. 27, including Multi-Township EMS, the Warsaw Police Department, the KCH Emergency Room and Home Health Care.
And a big "heartfelt thank you" to my wonderful children and family who have all provided me with meals and "Tender Loving Care."
A very special thanks to my pastor and for all the prayers for me at Redeemer Lutheran Church and to God for helping me to survive this ordeal, and to all my Warsaw friends who have remembered me with cards and phone calls. Thanks to you all.
Elaine Bell, Warsaw
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