Editor, Times-Union: I came across this touching article in the Elkhart paper that I thought should be shared with the people of Warsaw so that they might help out with this worthy cause. It would be great if we could make this little girl's dream come true and at the same time help ourselves to realize how much we have to be thankful for.
Faith Hoenstine is a 14-year-old patient at the Cincinnati Shriners Hospital. Faith has been suffering with meningitis since May. She has lost both legs, her left arm and the fingers on her right hand.
Faith loves to receive cards and her dream is to make the Guinness Book of Records for receiving the most greeting cards.
Please show this young lady that the citizens of Warsaw truly have a heart by sending her your best wishes - not because it might help her to break a record, but because she has suffered a devastating illness and your card might help to brighten her day.
I would also like to applaud all of the wonderful Shriners. Because of them, Faith will have no medical bills.
Cards may be sent to: Miss Faith Hoenstine 3229Burnett Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45229-3059 Tabitha Heiny Warsaw
Don't Eat Meat
Editor, Times-Union: It's the start of a new year and once again many of us are making our traditional New Year's resolutions: lose weight, quit smoking, exercise more, etc. Almost four years ago I resolved to take better care of my heart and my body and I stopped eating meat. Until I began researching the subject, I never realized how detrimental meat was to my health. The myth that our bodies "need" meat for protein is one that has been kept alive by the meat industry to maintain sales. Many plant-based foods provide adequate, not to mention much healthier, sources of protein. Meat has been directly linked to strokes, heart disease, a variety of cancers, type II diabetes and asthma, among other illnesses. For example, the average American man has a 50 percent risk of death by heart attack, however, a vegetarian man has only a 15 percent risk. The risk of heart attack for a man who eats no animal products at all (vegan) is a mere 4 percent. That's why, when I look around and see the people I care about dining on hamburgers and hot dogs, it scares me. Like most Americans, I grew up on "meat and potatoes," but kicking the meat habit wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Grocery stores today carry many meat alternatives and many restaurants are beginning to follow suit. I am writing to urge everyone who values their health to let go of outdated myths this year and learn more about the benefits a vegetarian diet has to offer. Everyone deserves the chance to make an educated decision when it comes to their own health. John Robbins' "Diet for a New America" is an excellent place to start, although there are many books available on the subject. Have a happy and healthy new year!
Heather Leughmyer Fort Wayne
Snow Removal Problems
Editor, Times-Union: We reside in the northwest portion of Kosciusko County. My wife works in Elkhart and we attend church a few miles north of U.S. 6.
We have had ample opportunity to observe snow removal efforts by both counties' highway departments. There is clearly a difference.
No snowplow was seen in our area for at least five days over the Christmas weekend. Many roads were only one lane, barely passable and very treacherous to travel on. We had difficulties attending work, church services and family gatherings.
We realize there has been an above normal amount of snowfall this past month. Still, why isn't this county able to deal with it when others are?
