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Show ) cwmmemt Free Press Wednesday, April Page 2 We'll miss sound Of Lehi fire siren you better Last chance to see Hallev's What's more American than apple-pie- , ice cream, pop corn, chewing gum and fire sirens? ' i ; you Nothing, say? Folks, how long has it been since ? you've heard that sound of the fire siren.? When was the last time you interrupted your supper to run outside and see which direction the fire trucks were ;' traveling? Oh yes, you've no doubt gathered your children around you as police ,v and ambulance sirens wake up sTp ' sleepy afternoon. But, do you realize that it's been several months since you've heard the fire siren? That doesn't mean that there have been no fires. It just means that the fire1 siren has fallen prey 'tor progresss. They just don't use it anymore and that's a blow (no pun intended) to all By BETTY FOWLER miss alarmists.nl apprehensive that siren, now that I know we're not. going to hear it anymore. It's like' season's over. It's kinda like when you fall down you never miss the aspirin until you have: a headache. Or, you never in broad daylight. You hurry and get think about strawberries until the up. You don't notice the holes in your bettevelit . spine-chilling- Although the best view is gone, there is still time to see Halley's Comet before it disappears from the night sky forever - well, at least until 2061. For many of us, that might as well be forever. Several individuals who have taken the time to view have this celestial visitor for the current To be sure, the expressed something less than awe. 1910 or in was it as famous comet is not as spectacular to back on the 27 other previous recorded visits dating ; go-arou- , 240B.C. ; .;. X.,;;";.,. U There are a couple of reasons for this. For one thing, the comet is not passing as close to the earth as it has in : the past. For another, each visit the comet makes past the earth burns off more of the material that makes the glowing coma and spectacular tail for which comets are noted. Halley's Comet may never again be as brilliant as it was in, 1066, for example, when it foretold the victory of William the Conqueror in England. Also, a good part of the mystery surrounding comets has been dispelled in the past few centuries. What was one hailed as a portent in the heavens for either good or bad is now viewed as nothing more than a large "dirty snowball." Never mind that that snowball may contain key information about how the universe was created. That may excite the scientists, but the masses lose interest when the unexplained becomes commonplace. Nevertheless, there are a few good reasons to catch Halley's Comet before the middle of May, when it heads out to the outer reaches of the solar system, not to return for another 76 years. Halley's is the best known comet - and the one that gave scientists their first clue to the periodic nature of this astronomical body. It has been recorded in history for over 2,000 years, so for historical value alone the comet is worth a look. Also, the long period of the comet means that many of us will not have a chance to see it again. This, then, is a once-in-a-lifeti- 9, 1986 opportunity. Parents with young children should make sure they get a chance to observe Halley's before it gets away. Those youngsters may be oldsters in 2061 when the comet returns, and will have no stories to tell about 1986 unless they catch a glimpse of Halley's this time around During the latter part of April, Halley's comet will be almost due south above the horizon, and can be seen about two hours after sunset. A full moon during those nights will make the seeing difficult, but the comet will moving further aw,ayji?a(emng The view may riSOtfe pemctlimMIJ W no view at all. Once this celestial, visitor goes away, it i won't come back for a long time. letters to the editor I knew I had a mind that captured the unimportant details of life -trivia, if you will when I was the only one in my high school freshman history class who knew the name of the person killed by Stagger Lee in the famous song by the same title.' I astounded my classmates, who had thought me rather ordinary, ' with that bit of information. , ...Of course, they thought I was I couldn't ordinary because remember the important stuff just like them.' I could only master the stuff that seemed trivial at the time. Take state capitals, for instance. I was never any good at remembering those because we were supposed to learn them. And while some people now point to the fact that kids don't know anything because they don't? memorize the state capitals: anymore, I have never found myself in any trouble because I couldnt remember the capital of Maine, for !? instance. , , That is, until last night, when myf smart alec kid came home claiming? she knew these state capitals byheart. I quizzed her just to see if she knew what she was taking about.' ""7 What's the capital of Puerto Rico? the editor's - ,. column - - By MARC HADDOCK the kitchen and asked what we were doing "Don't ask your father any of those," she said when she found out "He . doesn't know any of ; the capitals." There was a hint of sadism in her voice, and she was smiling. Like mother like daughter. Im- mediately I was the one being quizzed. "What's the capital of South into It could be. It almost was when "What's the capital of Illinois?" Gerald' Ford was president; And na Chicago, of course. one knows all the state capitals until'1 "No, it's Springfield." Well, it should be Chicago. they know the capital of Puerto Rico. "Well, it's not. What's the capital ! "We haven't studied that. Is it San of Washington?" Juan?" Either Seattle or Walla Walla. It See what I mean about her being a should be Walla Walla just because smart alec. I was about ready to of the way it sounds. , ground her when her mother came Wrong again. It's Olympia. You named Utah FFA veep s, We would like to take the time to welcome and thank the two new police officers of Lehi, officers Smith and Fergeson. They're easy to talk to and they'll try to help you out any way they Fruit Trees (Semi-dwar- fresh stock) f, Perennials Flat 5 gal. Junipers - W I -' ML E., AmFork, 756-606- ' ', '3 and speculate as to where the fire ; . or anything. is , , An essential American era has Sometimes just gone by the wayside. ; simply modern doesn't necessarily, , i simply mahyelous. V I'll bet some of the firemen will to be quit too. Their jobs are going be a lot, It'll now. pretty anonymous V harder to be a hero to the neigh- borhoodkids. I Everytime I heard that siren when 1 I was away from home my blood I would turn cold. Cold chills would i run up and down my spine. I'd start wondering where my children were. ' I'd smell smoke all over town, Yes, I'm gonna miss that fire i siren. Lehi needed that noise. It was for the blahs and V kind of a cure-al- l boredom in our fair city. ' And, those beepers just don't make it. , r ... 5 .8 - . wound. The fact is, I've never suffered because I couldn't produce, on demand, the name of Delaware's; state capital. I always knew where to find it, although I've never had to. I've tried to explain to my daughter that there are more important things with which to fill the mind than useless names of cities ' .tbe.iiaineVnilH capitals Stagger Lee killed in the song By'Jhe " ' ' same name '", (It was Bill.) But she doesn't seem to listen. She just asks another question. "What's the capital of West Virginia?" Wheeling, I answer. I think I hear my wife snickering ' in the livingroom. I'll bet she doesn't , know the answer, either. . , Members of the Lehi Chamber of members an update on recent city Commerce Board of Directors will .council decisions that affect, the meet Thursday, April 10, at the business climate in the community. ' Merrill Fox, state representative Broadcaster at lp.m. The agenda includes a report on to the Utah legislature, will also be the Easter Egg Hunt to be given by present to tell board members of chairman Marilyn Schiess. A report legislation passed in the recent . . ; of memberships will be given by session. , Bonnie Hardmari, President, Marie Hutchings. parade Councilman Guy Cash, city chairman; will also give a brief council representative on the report of plans for Lehi' Chamber board, will give board Roundup miniature parade. the-198- 88 Sale It's 88 days at Deseret Industries in American Fork this week and you'll find special items throughout the store at special 88' sale prices. Be sure and check with us before you buy anywhere during our 88 sale April , ' 10-1- 6. "i Ladies Skirts 88 , & 11.88 '1.88 Women's, v Blouses 88' & ( v $S00 Pants Men's Pants'" ooi p'' Our Best Work is Your Best Buy 337 West Main 756-942- , 7 fcJi Deseret Industries ) Thrift Store 627 E. State, American Fork Remember: All our goods are cleaned Repair an old re-op- - . 2K" pipe from headers-- , .' 30" IPC glass packs ' 2" tail pipes in front of rear tires before we knew which cities were t , really important. But if all the important cities were f the state capitals, it wouldn't be' all ' ' that hard to memorize them! , 1 of all states, of This isn't true course. Denver should be the capital , of Colorado, and Cheyenne must be the capitol of Wyoming, since it is the only city in the entire state. The ... . same is true of Boise, Idaho. Oklahoma City has earned the ' right to state capitalhood by virtue of being easy to remember. It's a perfect title for a state capital. But why isn't Baltimore the capital of Maryland - and just where is Maryland, anyway? These are things I'd pondered fori a long time, and never been able to answer. Leave it to a smart alec kid with a good memory come along and ' Includes: Auto 383 S. 500 ..' :; The problem is most of the capital cities aren't logical. After all, logic would dictate that New York City be the capital of New York, and that Detroit be the capital of Michigan. It would require that Dallas be the capital of Texas, since that's where all of the action is nowadays. Why isn't Kansas City the capital of Kansas? Logic would dictate that Portland be the capital of Oregon, and Philadelphia be the capital of PenDsylvania.,.. Miami should be tJifocapitai"Qf.s Florida'not Tallahassee; And New Orleans shpuld be the capital of Louisiana. The capital of Wisconsin? That should be either Milwaukee or Green Bay not Madison. The fact is, if most of the state capitals weren't the. seats of state government, most of us would never hear of them. They are obscure locations selected as state capitals David Wilson American Fork Garden Center ," -- International 6 .... beep and aay , Where does that leave me rest oi (Sales tax, flanges, or tail pipes to rear bumper not included.) (1,000's to choose from) beep us. We can't tailgate the fire engine to the fire. We can't crowd the roads ' to see where all the excitement is. We can't rush out to the sidewalk don't know any of these, do you." Of course I knew some of them. I knew the capital of Utah was Salt Lake City, and the capital of Idaho is' I knew the capital of Boise. California is Sacramento - I'd been inside the Capitol. And I knew the capital of Massachusetts was Boston - I'd been there, too. I knew the capital of Wyoming, the capital of Nevada, the capital of New Mexico and the capital of Rhode Island. And the capital of Vermont, since . it was named after my hometown of Montpelier, Idaho. That was about Muffler Shop Special Truck Dual Exhaust . 10" flowering hanging baskets JOB- - Thanks for police officers Editor . . . . Chamber to hear legislative report Wilson grandmother of 17, I firmly believe that a modern hospital, a competent ' doctor, with all the at is best the hand, place equipment to have a baby. I have a daughter and two who with no daughter-in-lawknown medical problems, previous would not have their beautiful, David Wilson, Lehi FFA Chapter; healthy babies today because of and a senior at Lehi High' president unexpected birth problems,- had School, has been named State FFA to babies their have chosen they Vice President for the coming year. delivered at home. The selection was by committee I say "Amen" to Dr. Glade's fine was announced at the State and and thoughtful defense of hospital in Convention held last week-en- d deliveries. Salt Lake City. He was chosen as one of the six state officers from a -- La Von Laursen field of 23 candidates from throughout the state. Judging was through a personal interview and an application. He will represent the State FFA at the National Convention in Kansas City in November. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wilson. . can. So from most of the kids in Lehi, thanks Chad and Danny, for your time and effort. We appreciate it. Shane Atkinson Neil Gray Bryce Peterson Brent Fox life-savi- beep "they go. it. Appalled at response Editor: I was appalled ; at the letter written to the "Citizen" last week in which Mr. , Shapiro severely criticized Dr. Glade for expressing his concern about the safety of home births. Then, dropping that subject, he launched into a tirade against all Utah doctors whom he claimed "annually kill 91 out of every 1000 unborn babies in Utah on purpose" by abortion. This sounds much like some of the well organized groups throughout the United States who will use any tactic to spread their views. As a nurse, a mother of six and . . States have wrong cities as capitals ) ; pantyhose until you've glanced around to see if anybody saw you u tumble.?-,-- , There's something classy about a town with a siren. You know? It lets all strangers and visitors know that we're uptown enough to have a fire ," y department. We used to think ? that the seriousness of the fire depended on how long the siren wailed. JrShucks, it's not half as exciting now that all the firemen wear those little beepers. It was so neat to see them run full speed ahead to get to the fire station. They'd jump in their and roart to their pickups destination. First firemen there would get to ride on the running boards of the fire engine. How I'd : envy them their exciting task. And what about all the little boys that want to grow up and be firemen? They won't even know what's going on now. Only the select few that hear daddy's beeper. ' . Now. when a fire is reported, the dispatcher gives a signal, those little black boxes the firemen wear on their belts give out a meager and refurbished f ; the handicapped, the and those in need. Deseret Industries is a federally tpprowd sheltered workshop. It's clients - those who are elderly, handicapped, or in need - reclaim "- donated goods. , " ,; i i elderly ' by . |