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Show Free Press - Wednesday, December 15, 1993 - Page 2 Editorial Motels, restaurants highlight of vacation Christmas families still need your help Year after year, this newspaper has asked for you, our readers, to help provide Christmas for several needy families - and year after year you have responded with generosity and caring. This year we have again selected six families who, without your help, might have a very meager Christmas holiday. And while the response has been warm, we are facing a Monday deadline without everything we need to help these fami- Local motels and restaurants, I believe, are the highlight of any vacation. Amusement parks, scenic wonders and relatives you visit are all great in their own way , but the fame, or infamy, of a motel will Donations can be brought to this newspaper's American Fork Office at 59 West Main, or to the American Fork Sounds Easy at 218 W. where individuals State Road donating can receive a second video rental free with the rental of a video. There are still some specific items that we really need this year. Refer to the story on Page 1 of this newspaper if you need help deciding what to donate. lies. We think the Christmas Family The Christmas Family program program is way to share in the has become a focus for many acts of most significant part of the Christthe act of giving sharing by our north Utah County mas Season communities and because of your anonymously to those who are in generosity, throughout the years real need. It is always a pleasure we have been able to provide Christfor us to be involved as a mas for more and more people. because we get to witness We expect this year to be no the generosity ofour neighbors and different, but we think everyone then see the true comfort your dowho plans on participating in the nations bring to these families in program may not be aware that need. There are many ways to bring Monday is the final day we can and would donations the it accept spirit of Christmas into our make it easier to administer the lives. We are happy to offer this program if more donations in the one, and invited everyone to parform of toys, food, or whatever, were ticipate. received by Friday. But you must do so by Monday. - - Christmas caroling for profit There were still three weeks until Christmas but it was time that we boys started our singing. There were five of us that actually sang for money. Mind you, we were good and we knew it. There was Dai Dent. He was the oldest, being a year older than the rest of us. His voice was changing and now had a deep resonant quality. Eddie Simkins, almost a soprano, his voice hadn't changed yet. Darro Jenkins, a natural alto; myself, who was a bit of a baritone, and last but not least, was Ronnie Goodfellow. We were lucky to have Ronnie sing with us. He was a boy soprano and was a soloist with the Baptist Church Choir. On Sunday afternoon we met at my home, not to practice, but to decide what we were going to sing and where. We decided to start on our own street where there were a few homes who always gave us a little powsing jVt, , not a great literary masterpiece, nor a work, but simply a travelogue of sorts, written by someone who takes a rather cynical look of small towns as he travels around the country. The book actually helps me get to sleep, but it has made me think of some memorable occasions of my own. One of my favorite motel encounters was a small "mom and pop" operation in San Clemente, Calif. The diminutive motel featured a sign, virtually larger than the building itself, that proclaimed, "$4.50, $5.50 and $6.50," in large type, followed by "All Six Units!" Elko?) This back room actually had two rooms - a bathroom and hall separated By TOM GRIFFITHS f was always a lovely experience. He would invite us into his big, comfortable living room then sit in a big chair by the fireplace and signal us to sing. We would sing a few carols, then he asked us sing a hymn or two. As we sang "Abide With Me," I watched his lips as he followed the words. "Abide with me, tis eventide." His wife had died a few months ago and the hymn brought back her memory. He gave us five shillings and walked to the door with us. "Thanks, boys," he said, "You havehelpedtom ake thisanice Christ- Peter Ruplinger was a wild, unbridled youth in Sandy, Utah - the typical rebellious teenager of that time - until he was ol Daly Planet the hotel.) That same trip took us to Phillips, a seafood place at the harbor in Baltimore. With all of that fresh seafood, Diane ordered chicken the first time we ate there. I have a book that lists this place as one restaurants in of the 10 best America, based on the total sales per year and she ordered chicken. (She was expecting our first child, so I really don't hold it against her.) In our move to Maryland, we stopped at little fast food place either in Kanab or in a Page, Ariz. We must have still been dazed to our family, because from saying good-by- e we threw away our fried chicken baskets with the trash. And we thought we were doing them a favor by cleaning up after ourselves. When we were relocating from Maryland back to Utah, we stayed in some little wide spot in the road in Tennessee which consisted of a motel, a gas station and a restaurant, the latter of which was called "Restaurant." Life was simple in those parts not only was the restaurant generic, so was the food. Patrons could order salad, meat, and dessert, but they could choose their drink: coffee, milk, water or Coke. We're planning a little trip to Nevada over the Christmas holidays to do research for a state report. Do you know any good places to eat in Pioche or Panaca? By RUSS DALY in, eagerly anticipating a frolic in the water. After the settled in their room, they went to see the pool. What they found was an empty cement hole, complete with weeds growing up through the cracks. I guess one must be specific when asking about the non-chai- amenities. No trip is complete without trying the foodfrom a local restaurant. At McDonald's, you know what a Big Mac tastes like, or is supposed to taste like, but with some eatery indigenous only to that area, you never know what you might get. Trips to southern California with my brother's family always included 99 cent breakfasts in Las Vegas (served between midnight and 7 a.m.) as well as the famous Sir George's Buffet. Ill also never forget the "Awful Awful" at the Golden Nugget in Sparks, Nev. It was a giant hamburger, complete with a giant slice of Bermuda onion. And a little bakery-sod- a fountain in Bishop, Calif., had the most delightful frosted drink glasses. I don't remember the epicurean offerings, but I do remember the glasses. Diane and I first visited Washington, D.C. when I had an interview with the governmental agency that eventually hired Paul Harvey Product Inc. 1993 became a scholar, studied four languages and became technically skilled. The boy who had been a recluse became a man with a lovely wife and a wide circle of friends. He rebuilt his neglected physique with bike riding, regular workouts and a healthful diet. He began to make frequent trips to Mexico, then South America, then Europe. The most frequent question Peter encounters from friends who remember him when is, "How in the world do you find time for all you do?" Though they know the answer. n - Great things start by turning off the TV John Goddard is a legend -- 1 heard about the man when I was a kid, and I was surprised when I learned he had visited Lehi last week. Legend has it that when Goddard was 15 he sat down and wrote a list of 127 goals he wanted to accomplish during his lifetime. Most boys have heard about him because one of his goals was to become an Eagle Scout - somethinghe has done. But Goddard wanted to do a lot more than that. Some of the goals were fantastic like visiting the moon, climbing Mt. Everest, exploring the Yangtze River in China, and South Poles and studying the Komodo dragon lizards. Most were ambitious. Goddard listed 16 mountains he wanted to climb, including Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Ararat. He wanted to circumnavigate the globe - and he has, some four times. He wanted to visit every country in the world - his stat sheet says he has 30 to go, but I'll bet there are more now of the Soviet Union. He with the break-uwanted to retrace the travels of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great - and he has. He wanted to swim in lakes all over the world Superior, Victoria, Tanganyika, Titicaca and Nicaragua. Some of the goals were mundane - such as run a mile in five minutes, read the Bible from cover to cover, type 50 words a minute, go on a church mission, explore the Colorado River, learn water and snow skiing, teach a college course, visit a movie studio and marry and have children. I classify these as mundane because I have done them, and I consider myself pretty mundane. (Even my "achieving" of the goals was pretty mundane. I floated part of the Colorado, went to Universal Studios in Florida and taught at UVCC so I even achieved the goals in a mundane manner.) -- p -- -- episode. But I never got to be more than a Second Class Scout, because I didn't learn to swim until I was 18. I've never been to Borneo or landed and taken off from an aircraft carrier. But I can still singthe theme songto "Maverick" after all these years. I'm convinced that growing up in the "golden age" of television ruined my life and now television is ruining the life of many more children in even more insidious ways. Cable television and video cassette recorders have made television an even more attractive escape than it was before because you can tell yourself you are watching g good stuff instead of the The Editor's j Column - By MARC HADDOCK But I've accomplished nine of the 127 goals Goddard set down for himself when he was 15. He's done slightly better accomplishing 107 of the goals, and still working on mind-numbin- - material that pervaded the screen in the 50's and 60's. And Nintendo and Sega take the delusion a step further making kids think they are having adventures on the screen and keeping them from having adventures of their own making. It's frightening when you realize that our industrialized society has given us time to do things our ancestors never would have dreamed of and we use it by letting the television think for us without giving it a second thought. Mr. Goddard had some good ideas and urged the kids at Lehi Junior High to set six goals before they went to bed, including a goal of doing something they had never dreamed of doing - and then doing it before the year was out. Frankly, I've always hated setting goals. But this may not be a bad idea. After all, I won't climb Mt. Popocatepetl in Mexico before the year is out (although I can pronounce it!). But I could make it to the top of Timp, if I turn off the TV first. And maybe that's a start. others. Needless to say he's had a full life. And how did he do it? His formula was simple. He wrote down his goals and then worked for them. And he didn't spend a lot of time watching television. Which is kind of what brought me here. After all, the Paul Harvey column on the bottom of this page is about how much you can do if you will just turn off the television. John Goddard's message to the students of Lehi Junior High was, in part, how much you can do if you will turn off the television. And as I face daily accusations of being an inveterate television addict, I wonder how much of life I missed because I didn't of Route 66 all want to miss that those many years ago. I remember how disappointed my parents were when I insisted on staying inside to watch "The Prisoner" one year instead of watching the fireworks display the local fire department was settingoff on "M"Hill. I am embarrassed that I remember the plot of virtually every original Star Trek re-ru- - - n LDS First Presidency Christmas The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints has issued the following Christmas message: Once again it is the time of year when solemn and sacred feelings are blended with an air of joyful celebration. At the dawningof this holy season, we extend our love and a special greeting to members of the Church and people everywhere. While merchandising and social activities have become part of Christmastime in many lands, it is important that we look beyond the commercialism of the season Life' Peter, indeed, has become skilled as a locksmith - even knows how to crack open safes. He's into wood carving and makes his own fireworks. He paints in water color. At birthday parties for his growing family, he entertains, making such days fun and exciting for everyone. Andsomehow Peter Ruplingerhashad time to learn scuba diving and sky diving. His insatiable curiosity has taken him into unexplored caves. He taught his son rock climbing. Indeed, his children are fascinated as he is with exploring new frontiers. Each, a good student, is growing into happy, successful adulthood. It is significant that you know that since the momentous "happening" of 30 years ago, Peter and the wife he adores -- 17. high-scho- the two. He and my mother took the room in the back, and I was in the room nearest the door with whatever relative had accompanied us. I think that motel is a parking lot now. Another great motel story in our family is one involving a Motel 6 site. Wanting a little entertainment, my sister asked the front desk clerk if the motel had a pool. He assured them that it did, and they checked Peter Ruplinger's 'Wonderful -- that is confidence. Our family reminisces often about a dive in Elko, Nev., that was a favorite of my father. He especially liked the corner room, away from the noise. (What noise is there in -- " At 17, he shocked his parents with a most bizarre, most audacious act of van? dalism. That single wanton act of destruction sobered young Peter as nothing ever had. Peter had been a dismal student, so dismal that a high school counselor had recommended he drop out of school. But almost overnight... And before you attribute this to a "religious experience," let me explain that there is no record of any spiritual transformation, no sudden burst of contrition over what he had done which reversed his downhill life. Classmates appeared in awe of what he had done, said they "could never do anything like that." And their attention was further encouragement. Peter did not drop out of school. He went on to community college - from there to abachelor's degree and a master's degree from San Diego State. flunkout Theonetime near TTEie non-ficti- Now During our stay at the Lord Baltimore Hotel, we decided to order pizza one night. We looked through the phone book to find an establishment near the hotel, but we didn't know that we would be the minority. (The pizza was great, once we got back to th money. I cannot tell of all the homes we sang at but a few of the more interesting ones. We always started at Mostyn Thomas. He was the local chemist and a true Welshman who had a lovely tenor voice and loved to sing. When we sang at his door he always invited us in. Then he would listen while we sang. He would advise us how to improve our renditions. He told us how to better mas." Our next stop was at the home of Major utilize Ronnie's voice. Indeed, when we left with the two shillings he gave us, we felt Meurig Thomas, who was retired from the British Army. I thought he was a bit balmy. encouraged to sing. Next we sang at Dave Hopkins. This was When he walked down to the village and always a pleasant adventure. Dave was an came to a corner, he would stop and click his old bachelor. He raised ferrets and magpies heels together and then proceed. We sang several Christmas songs then and taught them, that is, the magpies how he stopped us. to talk. On his table there was an empty beer "Sing something lively," he said. "When Dave had evident was that and my it regiment went on a march we would flagon sing, it helped to keep us in step." emptied it, for he was in a jolly mood. The only lively tune we knew was the We sang for him, then decided it was and he "Men of Horlech," which we had learned in time to go, but Dave said reached up into a cupboard and brought school. So we sang it. The words were, "See down a bottle. He gave each one of us a cup the foe with banners flying oer the border and from the bottle he poured some of the land is hying. Men of Horlech stand not liquid into each cup with an extra large doubting lest the foe your nerves be flouting. Forward then thesebrave words shoutportion for himself. He lifted his cup and wished us a Merry ing, Britain fears no foe." As we sang he clapped his hands and Christmas and beckoned us to drink. I took would burn it a sip and thought my tonsils, stamped his foot. I felt the two shillings he but he insisted we drink it. "Twill keep out gave us was well earned. Our first evening of singing was over. the cold and help your singing," he said. Tomorrow we will sing again and perhaps Indeed it did help us sing. there will be a few more shillings. We next went to Judge Mathews. This "half-a-mo- live on forever. I'm reading one of those types of books you read when you don't want to think: it's me. and the children they begat share wilh ingly - and eagerly - in the decision he made in 1963. The day Peter Ruplinger decided to make the time to live his own life and left the couch behind. That was the day at the age of 17 that he trashed his TV set, never to own one again. -- -- - and focus on Him whose birth it commemorates the Son of God, the Redeemer, the promised Messiah. Perhaps more than in any other season, feelings and emotions are generally warmer duringthe Christmas holidays. Where such feelings prevail, it is due to the spirit of the Savior, who came to earth as Jesus Christ, the Son of God. No message is more significant than the one He brought. Nor is any event of greater importance than His atoning sacrifice and subsequent resurrection. We are aware that even during this happy season there are those in the world who are in sorrow, who mourn, who yearn for peace, who are lonely, and who are burdened with guilt. To such especially we extend our love and compassion. Peace may be found through adhering to the teachings of the Prince of Peace. Comfort will come to those who mourn through their understanding of the purpose of life as taught by the Savior, who is well acquainted with grief. Renewal is available to those who are burdened and sorrowing with guilt. The Lord's own suffering was for all of us who will truly repent, though our sins "be as scarlet." (Isaiah 1:18) We extend the hand of friendship and fellowship to those who are lonely, discouraged or feeling abandoned. We invite them to become one with us in worship and in the service of the Master. We are persuaded that most men and women long for peace and where there is a strong enough desire to bring it about, it may be achieved. The application of the Golden Rule as taught by the Savior of mankind will bring a resolution of almost any disagreement, whether in the home, the neighborhood, the marketplace, the state, the nation or the world. We pray for the true spirit of Christmas to rest upon the people and nations of the earth. May we each demonstrate our concern for others, not merely with gifts or messages, but with love and kindness and daily deeds of good will. Policy on letters to the editor We welcome letters to the editor. All letters should be typewritten and double spaced. Letters must also be signed, and must include the writer's name and telephone number. Please send letters to Editor, Newtah News Group, P.O. Box 7, American Fork, Utah, 84003. message |