Editor, Times-Union: The Summer Reading Program "Family Fun in 2001" at the Warsaw Community Library was just that - lots of fun! It was a record-breaking summer with 1,427 registrations, the highest number ever (1,065 children, 156 teens and 206 adults). Books read totaled 47,830 with 64 children reading 200 or more. Teens and adults who read more than 20 books totaled 88.
We wish to thank all of the businesses and organizations that donated merchandise, certificates and thousands of coupons as prizes. Once again, we are grateful to the Times-Union staff for judging the short story creative writing contest for teens and for printing the winning stories plus the winning poems from the poetry contest. Our appreciation also goes to the terrific storytellers who read and told stories in Central Park, Winona Lake Park and at the Kidfest at the fairgrounds.
Several local patrons gave of their time and talent to present programs. Other local patrons (mostly parents) read hundreds and hundreds of books to the children, drove them to the parks and to WCPL to attend the programs. A younger set of patrons, 61 junior volunteers, donated 632 hours to help run the summer reading program; 11 of them presented two delightful short plays.
All of the success of "Family Fun in 2001" belongs to our entire community! Thank you, everyone!
Margaret Fritzel Warsaw Community Public Library
Community Services
'Corpus Christi'
Editor, Times-Union: With a feeling of shock and revulsion, I read the account that Senator Kent Adams gave concerning the blasphemous presentation that IP-Fort Wayne is bringing before the public. How can the law allow any repertoire to honor a sacrilegious piece of filth such as the play, "Corpus Christi?" Furthermore, what kind of a conscience do the author, director and the participating players have? (Apparently, they have no conscience, period.) Frankly, I feel sorry for those IPFW individuals, for ridiculing Jesus Christ is dangerous business. You can't get away with it. There is always a horrible price to pay for blaspheming or ridiculing God, or the Son of God. (I don't make the rules. God does.)
Many cynics and skeptics claim that there is no such thing as a devil. Well, "devil," or whatever, there is an evil source presiding over the universe today, in these United States, and in the world in general.
I expect that if any of the members of the group who are participating in the "Corpus Christi" project should happen to read what I have to say about their blasphemous act against Christ, they would probably refer to me as being a fanatical, old "Bible-thumping" zealot, (I have never "thumped" a Bible in my life), or a "Jesus lover," (which I am, and I'm not ashamed to admit it).
A final word on the matter. My advice to all of you at IPFW who are involved in the evil, profane stage presentation, "Corpus Christi": When the brick wall falls on you - and it will - look out.
Don Kaiser Warsaw
Red Light Running
Editor, Times-Union: Here we go again on the cameras at traffic lights issue. They are not going to be happy until they have taken more of your money and in the process increased the size of government. What in the world is wrong with demanding that people take more personal responsibility for their own actions?
There is only one sure way of avoiding accidents at intersections and it doesn't cost the taxpayers a dime. Look both ways before entering an intersection regardless of the color of the light.
People don't run red lights intentionally. They run them because they are going too fast to stop or they think they are. If the cameras don't slow traffic down, then they are good for only one thing and that is to make the state more money.
Charles Carnes Warsaw
Percussion Ensemble
Editor, Times-Union: I would like to express my appreciation to the Times-Union for mentioning the Warsaw Community High School Percussion Ensemble in the "Potpourri" section of the July 28 edition of the paper (as well as the previous coverage from the winter and spring). Upon re-reading the article, however, I discovered an error that I wish to correct. The WCHS Percussion Ensemble won the state championship this year, not a "national" title, as stated in the article.
Warsaw had received National Grand Championship titles in 1992, '93 and '94 at the Bands of America National Competition and the Morehead Day of Marching Percussion Championship (neither contest exists now).
The ensemble was named Indiana State Champions by the Indiana Percussion Association in 1997 (the first year of the contest's existence) and again this past school year. The WCHS Percussion Ensemble has long held a tradition of achieving excellence in performance and competition.
Warsaw is well known throughout the state and much of the country for these acheivements. The community can take great pride in the accomplishments of the WCHS Percussion Ensemble.
Mickey Ratliff WCHS assistant band director
Percussion instructor via e-mail
Fair Weather Fans
Editor, Times-Union: I must explain my loyalites. I've been a Boilermaker fan since 1940 and a Cub fan since birth. My loyality is genetic (genetic engineering). This steadfast loyalty has shielded and immuned me very nicely against the ugly words and poisoned arrows flung my way these many years. It will remain so "'til death do us part." Please, none of this fair weather fan stuff. Thank you.
