Art Is Easy To Define. It's Everywhere

Art is a photograph or a painting.Art is a drawing or a ceramic vase.Art is a Michelangelo sculpture of David or a Van Gogh self-portrait or a first-grader's self-portrait drawn in crayons. Art is a music video on MTV. Art is in the eye of the beholder. It may be easy to define what art is, but what it isn't - that's not so easy.There are critics who will say, "That's not art."I've always been a critic of critics who say what art isn't.How can you prove a negative? It is very difficult, if not impossible, to say what something is not.And art is so abstract already, it doesn't seem possible to say what art is not.

Tired Of An Unkind World

There's no cure for cancer.Or AIDS. Human rights are being violated in China, in South Africa and in Kosovo. People in the United States kill one another over a pair of shoes or the color of another's skin.Thousands of children die every day around the world from malnutrition, neglect and abuse. Men beat their wives and children.Teenagers become alcoholics daily. And all the while, people turn the other cheek. Companies merge and lay off hundreds or thousands of employees.A serial killer strikes again. People burn books, music, movies and art because they find the material offensive.They think everyone has the same morals and values, or should have the same ones as them.Forget the first amendment. A young adult tries drugs for the first time and becomes addicted.Another one sells their body for money to survive on the streets.

If You Think About It, We Are All In The Same Family

I've never done an in-depth study on my family background. You know, the kind of in-depth study where I find out who my great-great-great-great-grandparents were and whose theirs were and so forth and so on back down the line. In fact, I know very little about where the Slone family comes from, or for that matter, where the Collins family stems from.Collins is my mother's maiden name. I know that a twig of the Slone branch of my family tree, the twig that I stem off from, are descendants of Native Americans.At least, that's what I've been told all my life.I think the last 100 percent Native American in our family was my dad's grandmother or something along those lines. Anyhow, Slone itself is a Slavic name.It means "soldier."There are a couple of countries that almost have "Slone" in them.Slovenia and Slovakia are the closest examples.Slovenia is geographically squeezed in between Italy, Croatia and Austria.

Letters to the Editor 02-22-2001

- Winona Alcohol - No Restrictions - Good Job NLSA - Miracles Winona Alcohol Editor, Times-Union: The February 20th Times-Union stated under Legal Notices that application has been made for a dealership in beer, wine and liquor at 2302 E.Winona Ave., just within the Winona Lake town limits. We certainly do not need or welcome another outlet for alcoholic beverages in our community, particularly as this will be in the nature of a packaged dealership, which means bringing these drinks into homes in Winona Lake and environs.

Knox Edges Triton 69-64 In Culver Championship

CULVER - If Triton varsity boys basketball coach Joe Bennett could somehow erase the first quarter of Saturday's game with Knox, his team would've walked away with the Culver Holiday Tournament championship. Instead Triton fell to 4-4 on the season with a 69-64 loss. After digging a 15-4 hole for themselves in the first quarter, the Trojans outscored Knox 60-54 the rest of the way. "I thought early on we had some good shots," said Bennett."Overall in the first half we had good shots the ball just didn't go in.For me it's like broccoli, it makes everythings else taste better.The kids showed great toughness." The Trojans shot a dismal 2 of 14 (14.3 percent) from the field in the first quarter, while Knox, on the other hand was 6 of 11. The rest of the way Triton shot 23 of 43 (53.4 percent) from the field, compared to the Redskins' 20 of 41 (48.8 percent).

Letters to the Editor 03-01-2001

Letters to the Editor 02-19-2001

- Peers Educating Peers - Violent Rap - Congratulations Caleb - Red Lights - Pass Laws, Spend Money - Meijer Controversy Peers Educating Peers Editor, Times-Union: I, Gail Rathbun, Tippecanoe Valley High School student, would like to publicly acknowledge and thank everyone who has helped me to get the Peers Educating Peers program initiated in the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation.I started in September 2000 organizing and planning to start this valuable program; I have had unbelievable amounts of help, support and guidance through this five-month period.

Letters to the Editor 02-24-2000

- Disgusted And Broke - Judging - Scary - Living Will - Veterans Disgusted And Broke Editor, Times-Union: After reading Saturday's paper (Feb.19) "Editor Views" on expensive gas prices... I can't afford to keep up with the Jones' and have no desire to, but have to pay $1.49 for gas too.I don't drive an SUV or a gas guzzler. How can the "lower class" citizens ever hope to become "middle class" citizens when we have to pay and pay and pay? Not everyone is fortunate enough to make a big salary! I would love to own my own home, be a two-car family, etc.

Letters to the Editor 03-08-2000

- Wawasee Supporter - Contrasting Views - Capital Punishment - Chili - Congrats To Tigers - Crime And Punishment - Big Trucks - Valley Basketball Wawasee Supporter Editor, Times Union: I am writting this letter in response to a letter which was printed in the March 2, 2000, Times-Union.

Letters to the Editor 03-13-2000

- Living Wills - Proud Parent Living Wills Editor, Times-Union: There appears to be some ongoing confusion in the community regarding Living Wills and their usefulness for the patient whose wishes are that life not be prolonged by artificial means.If I may, please allow me to attempt to shed some light on this matter.

Letters to the Editor 05-16-2000

- Guns And Freedom - Reneker Museum - Stamp Out Hunger - Awkward Moment - Warsaw Seniors - China Trade - Anti-Gunners - Philharmonic - Silver Lake Speeding Guns And Freedom Editor, Times-Union: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." This is about FREEDOM.Without an armed citizenry, we have no guarantee of FREEDOM.

Letters to the Editor 02-13-2001

- Red Light Running - Buyer Beware - Ivy Tech Problem - Supports H.B.1815 - Meijer Detractor - Thanks To Trustee - Gerard And Stalin Red Light Running Editor, Times-Union: I am thankful that Mr.Smith avoided the accident he recounts in his letter.Red light running is indeed a socially accepted disease.National surveys find that with traditional enforcement fewer than 6 percent of the drivers who ADMIT to running red lights have ever faced legal consequences for their actions.EVERY red light running incident provides the opportunity for property damage, personal injury or death.

Letters to the Editor 05-23-2000

- Gun Response - Safe Cycling - Gun Problem - Shocking Article - Bob Knight - Dog Ordeal Gun Response Editor, Times-Union: Since the Mother's Day March on D.C.there have been several pro Second Amendment letters in the paper.How or why Ms.Stapleton happened to single out mine I do not know but I guess it's up to me to respond.

Letters to the Editor 05-25-2000

Congressman Seems To Have Mellowed Over The Years

The more I'm around Mark Souder the more I like him.He's mellowed or maybe I have because my regard for him has grown over the years. He used to be one of those people I call tape-talkers.It's my own little label and refers to folks who get started on a subject, stop their mental tape to answer a question, then turn the tape back on, starting again where they left off. The ability some people have to stay with a topic is something I admire.When I'm speaking, a raised eyebrow will throw me off. However, I'm paid to listen and observe, as my boss likes to remind me, not pontificate. I've listened to Mark Souder for a good portion of his Congressional career.When he was a junior representative (taking the oath in 1994) he was a tape-talker guy.I covered his visits to Whitley County when he was the Fourth District representative.

Letters to the Editor 03-08-2001

- Tax Issues - CCS Says Thanks - Educational Discrimination Tax Issues Editor, Times-Union: In response to Rep.William J.Ruppels concerns about tax restructuring issues.

Letters to the Editor 03-09-2001

- Thanks To Optimists - Winona Recycling - Priorities - Winter Guard Thanks To Optimists Editor, Times-Union: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Noon Optimists and John White for helping with the Atwood Elementary School Carnival held on Feb.17.The Atwood PTO greatly appreciates your donation of the Moon Walk provided for the enjoyment of our children.We would also like to thank all the volunteers from the Noon Optimist Club that helped make the Atwood Carnival a success.Again, thank you for your contributions to the children of our community.

Dillinger's Warsaw Visit Caused A Nationwide Stir

Last week I researched John Dillinger's appearance in Warsaw.The story of the 70th anniversary of Dillinger's encounter with Warsaw night officer Judd Pittenger appeared in Monday's Times-Union. Dillinger had been on a crime spree ever since he was paroled from the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City jail in 1933.He and his gang robbed banks of their money, stole cars and had recently been lifting guns and other equipment from police stations around the Midwest. There are thousands of references to Dillinger on the Internet, and, of course, some are better than others. Dillinger's moniker was "The Gentleman Bandit" because of his politeness during a bank heist.He figured he could get the job done without killing. According to Warsaw Police Department Sgt.Larry Engle, the shooting of Patrick O'Malley in East Chicago was an accident.

Letters to the Editor 08-16-2002

- In God We Trust - Stealing From Graves - Thanks To Warsaw PD - Solar Lights Stolen - Wagon Wheel - Smoking - Support For Tara In God We Trust Editor, Times-Union: In God We Trust.This was placed on our coins in 1864, put on our paper money in 1955 and in 1956 Congress passed a resolution declaring "In God We Trust" the national motto.This has survived many court decisions.To many Americans this motto is true.Another thing, we say "God Bless America."He has blessed America.We are the most prosperous nation in the world and have the best of everything.

Tiger Boys Hold Off Scrappy Colonials

SOUTH BEND - Ten years ago a matchup between South Bend Clay and Warsaw would call for standing room only seating at the Colonials' gym.While Warsaw, now under the tutelage of Doug Ogle, remains one of the state's top programs, the same can't be said for Clay.Successes have been few and far between since Jaraan Cornell led the Colonials to the 1994 state championship over Bryce Drew and Valpo.Success went Warsaw's way on Saturday night with a 54-44 victory in South Bend. This year's Colonial squad came into Saturday night's contest 0-2 with close losses to Glenn and East Chicago Central.Warsaw, crisscrossing the state, came in with a 2-1 record that included a win 60-46 against Fort Wayne South the night before in the Summit City. On paper it looked as if Warsaw should control the game.A sparse but enthusiastic crowd saw Clay scrap and fight for an upset.Early on however it appeared as if Warsaw was ready to deliver the knockout punch.