Editor, Times-Union: Has anyone stopped at a street corner, whether inside of town or in a local shopping center, and seen a couple dozen or more of cigarette butts in a pile?
I have a solution, blame it on my ingenuity traits. Have our high school science students figure out how we can make the "butts" taste like candy, so that the smokers can eat the balance of their cigarettes.
P.S. I want half of the first million dollars made off of this idea.
Albert Smith, Warsaw
Thanks To DARE Officer
Editor, Times-Union: New Hope Free Will Baptist Church would like to thank DARE Officer Tim Sammons for coming out and talking to our camp. We sponsor a one-week-long church camp each year, Camp Living Water, that allows kids from age 8 to 18 to come and have an enjoyable week in their summertime. The camp is broken up into two four-day sessions in which one session has children age 8 to 12 and the other session has children age 13-18. Officer Sammons took valuable time out of his schedule to talk to both of our camps. He mainly focused on the down side of tobacco use to our junior camp. During the teen camp, he discussed the problems that alcohol use causes in our lives. The DARE program is very important and Officer Sammons got the opportunity to talk to and hopefully impact the lives of 85 kids between the two camps. We are appreciative of the DARE program and every officer that takes their time and effort to be a part of it. It can change lives.
S. Eric Trump, director, Camp Living Water
Piasecki Family Says Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: The family of John Piasecki would like to publicly thank all the police officers, neighbors and friends for being there for him before his death.
Audrey Piasecki, Warsaw
Integrity
Editor, Times-Union: Does integrity really matter anymore? One might not think it really matters or is no longer necessary. However, we are grateful that some local business professionals have not taken that approach to business. We have seen a level of integrity that is not often found today.
We relocated to the area last fall and found a local realtor who was very helpful in the house-hunting process. We made an offer on a home and had it accepted according to the MLS listing and our contract. Because of some travel delays, we were not able to inspect the property before closing, and much to our surprise, an item listed as part of the property description in the MSL had been removed. We informed our realtor and he set out to correct the error. Because of an apparent lack of integrity on the part of the selling agent, he could not resolve this issue. He then personally replaced the item, citing it as a matter of integrity of behalf of the local realtors. He took it as a personal challenge to show a level of integrity far above that which was necessary, in order to uphold the credibility of area realtors. We were very impressed by this level of commitment to operating a business [with integrity].
In an effort to encourage local business professionals to do business at the highest level of integrity, we felt it necessary to highlight this example from within our community. Integrity does matter and Dick and Sue Cole are to be commended for their exemplary business endeavors.
Greg and Sally Sparlin, Warsaw
Giving Blood
Editor, Times-Union: The American Red Cross is trying to increase the donor base for the Warsaw community blood drives held at Center Lake Pavilion the second Tuesday of every month. We are asking the people of Warsaw who are not regular blood donors at the present time to please "unselfishly give of themselves to help save the life of someone else."
Here are five great reasons to donate blood:
x Giving blood is safe - The U. S. Surgeon General and all medical authorities agree that it is not possible to catch any disease by giving blood because all equipment used, including the needle, is sterile and used only once before being properly discarded.
x Giving blood is easy - Following registration, you will answer simple medical history questions and receive a mini-physical. Then you'll roll up your sleeve. You'll only feel a slight pinch; the 8- to 10- minute donation will be over before you know it. Afterward, you can relax for a few minutes with refreshments. Donating blood is volunteer work you can do lying down.
x Giving blood is important - There is no artificial substitute for blood. To the thousands of people who rely on the generosity of blood donors, you are a hero. Donating blood is a great way to volunteer your time and a precious resource, blood.
x Giving blood saves lives - Thousands of patients need blood and blood products everyday. Each blood donation can save the lives of several people. Blood donations are used to treat patients with leukemia, cancer, anemia, severe burns, hemophilia, surgery and accident victims. Organ transplant recipients can require dozens of blood donations. Your donation will help ensure an adequate available blood supply. To these people, you are a hero.
x Giving blood could alert you to health problems - Your free mini-physical checks your blood pressure, pulse, body temperature and blood iron content.
The next two community blood drives to be held will be Aug. 10 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Sept. 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.,m. If you have questions call the Red Cross at 800-GIVE-LIFE. Be a hero. Be a blood donor.
Morrey Hester, Donor Recruitment, American Red Cross
Burket Food Stand
Editor, Times-Union: Another year has passed for the Kosciusko County 4-H fair.
We the buyers of Burket Community (Burket United Methodist Church) want to thank each and everyone for another successful year.
We had several workers who didn't live in Burket or go to church here. Thanks to all of you. Hope to see you next year.
Also the fair board, for all their work. Keeping the streets and bathrooms so clean. For their advertisements and all work they do. Many, many thanks to all.
Keep it all up and hope to see you next year. Thanks and God bless all you.
Burket Stand Buyers - Mike and Karen Nelson, Wayne and Carol Berkey, Jim and Lois Miller
Third Party
Editor, Times-Union: "We the people, by the people and for the people" is no longer called common sense in our U.S. governments, local, state and Washington, D.C.
In reply to Mr. Charles Carnes, vice chairman of our local libertarian party, I wish to just add a few words.
Where is justice, honesty and most of all integrity in our governments? I put an "S" on governments, as I do believe that all governments on all levels here in the U.S.A., should put the people's well being first over all.
We need an active third party, all under one single name - the people's party. We have a good start, when the new governor in Minnesota got elected over both parties we now have. Congratulations governor, let us hope you will also run for a higher office when your current term expires. We need you and Hillary as our new leaders.
Yes, I do believe in equal rights and privileges for women and our African Americans. Yes, I also believe that "voting monies" should be taxed like us.
Albert Smith, Warsaw
Softball Thanks
Editor, Times-Union: As our baseball/softball season comes to an end, I would like to thank the many people that make it work.
First you have the volunteer coaches. Most people do not take the time to thank these coaches that spend many hours teaching your kids to play ball, but it's a sure guarantee they will let you know if they are not happy. Please do not let this discourage you and keep up the good work. Please remember, parents, this is not a paid position and comes with little reward. Thank you, coaches!
Second, I would like to thank the people who volunteer (or get drafted) to umpire the lower level games. My hat comes off to you.
Third, thank you to the many parents that volunteer to work in a very hot concession stand. You have done a good job!
Fourth, a thank you to the people that have helped to prepare the diamonds for the season, to the many people that have painted, remodeled bathroooms, mowed the diamonds, worked on dugouts, or volunteered their time in any way over the years.
Most people do not realize the amount of volunteer time that is spent in making a baseball/softball league run smoothly. On behalf of the Mentone Youth League I would like to thank each and every one of you and look forward to seeing you next year. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Lesa Newsome, Mentone Youth League, United Way Agency
Feeling Appreciated
Editor, Times-Union: I'm a 16-year old who works for Stafford's Solid Waste and last week, while we were picking up trash in Silver Lake, a lady approached me and asked if my partner and I would like something to drink, and brought us out two diet 7-Ups.
About 5 minutes later, another lady came up to us and gave us $5 to buy ourselves something to drink. I'd really like to thank these ladies. It's nice to know we're appreciated, especially on hot days.
