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Show Free Press - Wednesday, July 3, 1991 - Page 2 Reunion saw return of golden oldies you better believe it Editorial Ideas of Indepence catching hold all over This year's Fourth of July should have a special meaning for all of us. Although the day was set aside to commemorate the signing ofthe Declaration of Independence, our Independence Day holiday is the celebration of an idea, or set of ideas, as much as the remembrance of an event. The ideas are simple ones ideas we now take for granted. They were: That God made all people equal and had given them the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That the main business of government was to protect these rights. That if a government tried to withhold these rights, the people were free to revolt and to set up a new government. They were not new ideas, either. But the famous Declaration set off the chain of events that created a nation dedicated to the basic philosophy that government receives its - authority from the governed. The rest, as they say, is history. And our nation's history has proven that the ideas are valid. Throughout the world, members of the human race are embracing these ideas as despots are deposed and totalitarianism is smothered by the individuals who are now claiming the right to determine how and by whom they will be governed. The recent events in the Persian Gulf have only added to the luster of our dream of independence and self government as we have seen the desire amongthe peoples of the world to share the dream. As we celebrate this Independence Day, let's remember that our free-- , - dom comes at the cost of constant, vigilance, but it is our inherent right. That's why we are willing to die for the idea. And why we celebrate the Fourth of July. What's in a name? What a week! Each day ofthe celebration yielded up a harvest of exritingexperiences to be stored for my winter's supply of memories. I loved each and every event. And to top it all off came my class reunion. That waa something else. Some of the guys were definitely wearing wigs; some of them definitely weren't. Some of them were listing to the starboard with bad backs, others were walking like they were carrying a bushel basket in front of them. Me included. Anyway, it was wonderful to see all my old buddies. Each of us had submitted a short sketch of a present-dabiography, (I didn't), and they were very revealing and fun to read. Ruby Harrington Brown had compiled the stories into a booklet for us to treasure forever after. Some friends of mine read some of the bios and said we must have had a very outstanding class because so many of them were professionals, travelers, and successful entrepreneurs. Besides that, they were fun, genuinely delightfully real, and not an ounce of pretense in any of them. Which is really something at a class reunion! Most ofthem were very comfortable with themselves, didn't appear to have been at a tanning parlor, a diet studio, or a liposuction office.. . , .. Anyway, our own Carl Mellor catered As of Monday, the Utah State Training School is no more. The official name of the state institution that still exists in northeast American Fork is now the Utah State Developmental Cen- ter. And that is how we will refer to it in n r, - I'rx t ' 1 i gorgeous porcelain dolls, completely dressed, and Junior Miller brought a bouquet of roses fresh and fragrant from his garden. Another monumental work displayed was a textbook written for English teachers by Wayne C. Booth, a professor at the University of Chicago, who never, never misses a reunion. It seems strange that he flies thousands of miles to attend when we can't roust some who livejust two miles away. Strange, huh? By BETTY FOWLER the affair and my buddies couldn't get over the good food he provided. I was very proud. Those in charge had fixed a table to display hobby and craft items classmates had made now that they're all retired and everything. and Developmental Center takes a lot more letters than Training School. At least, with some work, we can get. people to stop calling the place the "American Fork Training School" and give the state its due in the matter. For sure, some folks will call it the American Fork Developmental Center, but what can you do? However, we can only hope that the trend to highfalute an institutional name will not spread too quickly. I mean, we wouldn't want the local high school to become the local Juvenile Education Center, would we. Or, as some students might point out, the local Juvenile Education and Citizenship Training Center. I can hardly imagine the confusion of "AFJETC" in a headline, as opposed to The Editor's Column By MARC HADDOCK V alsohave a purpose, although I can't see the problems there. After all, the Training School name has always been a safe one, since it made no mention of the words that have become so sensitive in this area words like retarded, or handicapped, or disabled. Over the years all of these terms have become labels and then stereotypes which tend to have a limiting affect on how we view and treat those who suffer such disabilities. The trend of words to become labels puts the professional people in a constant race to come up with new words thatcan get people beyond the stereotyping stage. The name "Developmental Center" also satisfies the in di viduals who think the more obscure and lengthy a word is, the better it is. Working at a developmental center is better than working at a training school, just like working at a medical center is better than being employed in a hospital, I - "AFHS." The school board might also be prone to this kind of change. a . Why, instead of the Alpine Board of Education, we might have the North Utah County Board of Instructional Administration and Resources. It says more, is more specific as to location and longer meeting all of the requirements of a new,name,:, But it sounds a bit inflated, and can't be I - abbreviatedexceptasBoardor"NUCBIAR." Other government agencies might also want a name change. Why, politicians already have a bad name a negative label. They might prefer a less labeling title as - well. The Changes could go on and on. Frankly, I prefer many of the old names. They contain so much more meaning than words we haven't had time to absorb. Oh, well go ahead and call it the Utah State Developmental Center and hope you all catch on as soon as possible. In the meantime, we promise not to change the name of the newspaper. guess. There is a problem with headlines, but then there always has been. "Training School" has too many letters to fit conveniently in a headline. I've often used the abbreviation "USTS," but it's ugly and I'm not sure if many folks understand it. But Unfortunately, "USDC" isn't any better, Crittenden deserves better treatment g Paul Harvey News near-poeti- c n hand-mad- Letter to the editor Racing helps make better autos Homer MeKee, the Hoosier philosopher, once wrote an essay relating to the Indianapolis Speedway and the "Big 500" race. One year his essay was reprinted in the program for that event, but I've long since misplaced my only copy. I do remember his analogy relating to how daredevil drivers would purposely expose themselves to the potentially deadly germ of danger, thus to test which component parts could survive the extreme stress. That 'way they demonstrated which brake bolt, cotter pin or lug nut was "safe for you and me" in our passenger cars. ft was a romantic notion, but it ap-- , pealed to a youngster enamored of cars. One of the memorable thrills of my life I reworked a was when, as a school-age' stripped-dowChevy, refitted rings and ground valves and rebuilt the carburetor it and on the first flip of the crank prang to lift. No symphony tine ever sounded more majestic! So when the Indy race was described as a proving ground for automotive parts, it gave the inherent danger a nobler pur pose. hand-beade- Training School now Developmental Center future news stories. Because sometimes a name change is a good thing. For example, the Utah Technical College and ProvoOrem really needed a name change tofittheinstitution'schangingiden-tity- . The old name showed an institution that couldn't even decide where it was from a split personality with two campuses miles apart. The new Utah Valley Community College is a pleasant name, and as the name has caught on, the image of the institution has improved. It's not just for vocational education any more. Oh, some folks still call it "The Tech," but more and more we are coming to accept the other educational aspects of the school. ftl And Utah Valley Hospital wanted everyBy TOM GRIFFITHS f? body to know they were more than a hospital. So they changed the name to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. The name now. reflects the leadership role the facility plays So, what's in a name? The experts might with other IHC hospitals like American say that a name can influence our lives, but Fork Hospital. It sets the medical center I say there are many more things that can apart from regular hospitals. affect our destinies than a name. Another successful change. We've As I write this bit of nonsense there is a adopted that name with little problem. thunderstorm going on outside. Priceless, Timpanogos Mental Health had a differrain is falling. Thunder is echo- ent image problem created by scandal and ing through our valley. One cannot escape mismanagement of funds. So they changed having a feeling of gratitude. I must walk its name to the Wasatch Mental Health outside and feel the rain on my face. and, for the most part, no one is the wiser. As to the thunder, when I was a young The stigma attached to the old instituboy I was afraid of it. One time when there tion is left behind and the center can get on was a particularly bad thunder storm going with the business of helping people. on I went to my mother for comfort. The Training School name change must "Mam "I said, "What is thunder and why does it frighten me?" Her answer was not the least bit scientific, but I have thought about it many times. "My son," she said, "Thunder is the method by which God talks to the wicked people. First comes the lightning from the heavens to show his power, then he speaks Editor: with a loud voice. An open letter to the Alpine School DisShe went to a cupboard and brought out trict and those they represent: In a day when we have been admonished the family Bible. She turned to Psalms 18 as a people to be a "kinder, gentler nation," and read: "The Lord thundered in the heavens, and nowhere in the land is this advice needed the highest gave his voice; hail stones and more than here in our own area. It almost coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows and seems as if head hunting is in vogue, espescattered them; and he shot out lightnings, cially for those in public affairs. and discomforted them." is perceived, it True, if a wrong-doin"So, you see," she said, "If you are not should be addressed and corrected, but wicked there is nothing to be afraid of when always with an eye toward understanding of circumstances and intent. The corrective it thunders." The hills and trees are washed clean. action should be taken in a manner which The raindrops dripping from my trees look can correct a given error without grinding to mush the person in error. like tears of joy. As we increase in number, I suppose it is Indeed the world is good even if you do have an odd name. necessary to implement more and more God-give- d brought an absolutely beautiful wedding dress and an oil painting; and there were several plaque denoting some honor or another. One of the most impressive waa Grant Hicks' plaque presented tohim by the President Kimball. It seems that Granthad gone way beyond the call of duty to help our Indian brothers and was being honored for his work; Leo Dean did an oil painting of an elk; and Ruby painted a bowl of eggs (real enough to hard boil them) and Ruth Rothe brought books of poetry she'd written, plus e crafts. Oh yes, Max Searle brought a picture of his family tree and a ceramic cow to signify his vocation. What could be more appropriate? Fern Wilkin Richins brought a display of y More than you think browsing Well, folks, another expert has been heard from. He is Leslie Alan Dunkling, a former teacher and now one of the great experts on names. He makes this statement: "Our first names are not merely names, frequently they act as our ambassadors, representing us to the outside world. They are a part of our personality as others see us, often as we see ourselves." I have always believed with Shakespeare who wrote, "What's in a name," but now I must change my thinking. For example, my father was a religious man. His oldest son he named after an Old Testament prophet. The next two he n amed after leading lights in the New Testament. I wonder what he was thinking of when he gave me a New Testament and an Old Testament name. My second name is Joseph, after he of the many colored coat. Then he gave me my first name, Thomas. What was my dear old dad thinking ofwhen he gave me this name? For the Thomas of the New Testament was known for one thing, a characteristic to doubt. I realize that first names in some instances can affect our lives. I have written about my boyhood friend whose parents named him Chumley. All of his life he was called Scrummy, and the name fitted his personality and physical appearance. I can't help but think that ifhis parents had given him some sexy or glamorous name it would not have changed old Scrummy. I once had an acquaintance with the name of Algernon. With a name like that you would expect to see a little gentleman, but Algernon was the meanest, toughest kid you ever saw. Now, was it the name his parents gave him that shaped his personality or was it because his father was a boxer and loved to visit the village pub and quaff the ale? There is a possibility that a first name can give you confidence. To illustrate. A young boy was applying for a job. "What's your name?" asked the store manager. "Ford," replied the lad. "And your first name?" inquired the manager. "Henry." "Henry Ford, eh," said the manager with a smile. "That's a pretty well known name." The boy looked pleased. "Yes sir, it should be," he replied proudly. "I've been delivering groceries around town for two years Maxine Robinson Fugal brought a gorgeous hand- - crocheted tablecloth, Sarah C 1W1 Los AngelM Times Syndicate more-than-ev- smaller-than-eveV-- 6 -- i hand-me-dow- It was all true. It sjill is. Inautoracingthefyonforwinningis less significant than ftttreason for losing. . From the loser we learn what broke first. In cars as in horses, racing improves the breed. Motor sports are an accelerated, inten sified testing program. From the losers we learn what modifications to make on the assembly line. From drag racers in the 1960s our petroleum industry learned how to make a better motor oil. Tire m akers have u sed the racetrack to refine their construction and molding techniques. While the Chevy Indy 8 will V-- sA never be under the hood of any Corsica, parts of it will be. , One lesson Detroit is slow to learn is the advantage of methanol fuel, but it's coming and the methanol fuel injectors have already been developed at AC Rochester and proved at the Speedway. You and I are able to get r power from the in block our Buick stock ofthe engine - because that engine is a from the race course. Not that you and 1 will drive 200 mph, but we will drive 65 mph "more effi' ' ; ciently." From race cars in the wind tunnel we've learned tricks applicable to passenger cars. The Trans-Acars are the source of the Pontiac silhouette. . Joe Negri of Buick says, "Many people have the feeling that racing is sort of a kind of affair. On the conrace trary, engineering ii a demanding discipline. It develops better machines and it develops the better engineers and designers our industry requires." And, he might have added, we're in a race with the world, and without better engineering we can't compete. n . tube-chassi- m s, rear-driv- e rules and regulation of police to make sure his decisions have come down on the side of we do not step on one another's toes. It also compassion and fairness. To chew someone becomes easier to be found in violation of out, he is capable. To crucify someone unjustly, he is not capable. He has pleaded, "policy" as this process expands. A simple "pardon me" or chewed, prodded, cajoled and counseled "excuse me" to someone found standing on three generations of Alpine School District a policy legal toe would seem sufficient as a people through school and he has done it to corrective measure. What one of us hasn't the best of his ability. You may disagree breathed a huge sigh of relief when a traffic with him, and I have at times, but count on officer has said to us, I'm going to give you it, you as a district and students got his a warning this time, but please slow it best. down." If, in yourjudgement, a new TransportaI am going to refer to Jim Crittenden, tion Directors time has arrived, then so be who I understand was caught standingon a it. All of us have to move over sooner or later. But for heaven's sake, don't take legal toe. I know this man. A simple admonition of any kind would correct Jim away the earned retirement benefits of Jim Crittenden of wrong doing instantaneously. and his wife after a lifetime of service to us I personally have seen him admit error here in the district. would when have and it The eye for an eye mentality was republicly, privately been easier to do otherwise. pealed long ago. Really, let the "kinder, My association with Jim has been both gentler nation" be alive here in the Alpine School District. professional and personal. His administraJim standing on a legal toe? I promise tive style is strong and may at times seemed you a "pardon me" would correct any situaheavy handed, but extremely successful. As a former president of the Bus Drivers tion. You dont need his "head on a platter." Association, I have watched him agonize -- Ken Greenwood over driver's actions and his charge as Director. and 46 others Always, always Transportation Parade Committee deserves praise Editor: the scene, putting up They were behind It was great! The picnic in the park on Monday, the carnival on Saturday, and the super parades. Lots of hard work by many people to be enjoyed by all. But behind it all is a group who really planned and worked to bring it all together. The Parade and Special Events Committee was directed by Janys Hutchings. This group of women is to be complimented -they spent hours in planning, calling and doing. , booths and stages and the tent. The time they spent arranging for the parade, lining up the entries and seeing that it went off so well were many. Things like this celebration just don't happen. It takes people willing to leave their families and work to get it done. The ladies of the parade and special events committee make it happen and they and their family deserve a great big thank you. -- Ned F.Wilson Toys-R-U- s' Policy on letters to the editor We welcome letters to the editor. All letter should bo typewritten and double spaced. Letters must also be signed, and must Include the writer's name end telephone number. Please tend letters to Editor, Newtah News Group, P.O. Bos 7, American Fork, Utah, S4CC3. I |