The Amherst news-times (Amherst, Ohio), 1943-05-27

              The Amherst News- imes VOL. XXV, NUMBER 22 AMHERST, OHIO, THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1943 On land, the sea and in the air Amherst Soldiers and Sailors are 'Fighting for Liberty Seabee Member Becomes Acquainted With Land Crabs, Size Of A Football In answer to the question, why we do not publish stories concerning fellows who have been "perched out on a patch of sea-v eed for a year or so and from those eating dust in Africa, India," in the letter we received from Storekeeper Herbert VanKeuren, member of the Navy Scabees and the eldest son of H. H. Van Kur-en of Jackson-st, No one knows better than we ' how glad we are to get a letter from these fellows. We've tried time and time again to get some of the information as to what the boys really think about war conditions and their experiences after they have been out for awhile. But for some reason or another their information doesn't get thru to us. Perhaps the censors have something to say in that respect. Nevertheless, any stories from the boys In the service are a welcome to the paper and to the readers.Van Keuren has been in the service for over a year and has been in the south Pacific for sometime. In his opinion 'the navy is about the best all-around choice for anyone who is adapted to that particular cate gory. It is a distinct advantage because so many of the men have had previous experience in this, which we are encountering every day," wrote the Amherst man. "The majority of these fellows know how to conduct thTm'selv'e's and make the most of what they have to work with. The fact that they are not in America does not frighten them in the least, as it does many of the boys who are leaving the country for the first time. DEAD END KIDS "Upon reaching our newest location, groups of twenty men were assigned new living quarters (the first we've had in a year.) In my particular group fourteen of us have been boy scouts and three have been in the CCC. The three remaining heathens were from New York. They are typical Dead End Kids, hatched, not born. It took a war to teach them that New York did not cover four-fifths of the earth's surface. They never will be able to understand why the natives haven't heard of the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. "Several local people have wrlt- ten and asked me about the land crabs the Seabees were supposed to have encountered. I have only recently been introduced to them myself. However, I can easily see why they are treated with re spect. They resemble a large Sees Action On Way To Iceland Mrs. Ted Szarek received a surprise last week when her husband, Seaman Ted Szarek telephoned from Virignia telling her that he had just arrived i n the States from Iceland. Mrs. Szarek flew to Virginia to be with her ..v .? . 4 husband until he left last Thurs day for another unknown d e s-tination.Szarek related that he saw his share of action on the ocean. For live days they were without food or water. They were reported missing but were located again by their convoy. Mrs. Szarek returned home Saturday. She is making her home for the duration with Ted's sister, Mrs. John Conry of East-st. She is the former Lillian Fields of Long Island, New York. tit" '.r " spider in many respects and have the hard boney shell of the crab we have seen in the States. They roam at night and cover a lot of territory. The largest I have seen was about the size of a football. I don't know from experience, but I imagine they have a lot of power in their' claws. "One thing that makes my prolonged isolation bearable is the continual findings of supposedly l'antastic creatures, myths, legends and again supposed fairy laies. The man who said 'Many a truth were spoken in idle jest' may have been aiming at such things we are finding to be true today. "Every now and then we hear a broadcast by Tokyo radio. The announcer speaks perfect English and one would never know it wasn't an American broadcast if it weren't for the imbecilic reasoning and outlandish claims they make. Of course, I realize a good many of our exaggerations are purely coincidental." Van Keuren and Frank Hermann had been together for some time but recently the two were separated. Van Keuren's address is at the News-Times office should friends care for it. Hopes Folks Back Home Will Remain The Same "It's really a pleasure reading about all that is going on in Amherst and also the letters from the'fellowsln the services," wrote Paul Swartz from a Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Va. where he is working as a hospital aid in regard to the local paper. Through reading the paper Paul obtained the address of Pvt. Wm. Szuch and is now contemplating a visit with the Amherst soldier. Paul is working in a surgical ward where he learns a lot about life aboard ship. Listening to these seafaring men he is anx ious to receive word to report aboard ship also. A good many of these patients, he related, have seen a great deal of action and are glad for the chance to get a bit of rest. "They tell us some miehtv eood sea stories and we pump em with questions. Right now Swartz is studying for advancement to a pharmacist's mate third class. The requirements are stiff he said. "When I was bank homo last ,imn T nntiPH hnuf EWP,i fh servicemen were treated. You know, free dances, shows, etc. But down here, it's a different story. The people do more break moral than anything else. I hope that everyone back home will keep up the good work. After all if the folks back there are; rooting for the fellows, they'll beat the Axis in a short while ana we can all get back to our normal way of life," wrote Swartz. Paul's address is Paul hi. Swartz, V6-HA2C, Norfolk NaOal Hospital, Staff H-l, Portsmouth, Virginia. I CPL. INNES NOW ! AT NEW CAMP j Cpl. John Innes has been transferred from Camp Tygert, W. Va. to Ashford Internment Camp. Xrlis new address is 1514 Service Unit, Ashford Internment Camp, White Sulphcr Springs, W. Virginia. Pvt. Walter Radosevlch, meim-ber of the marines who is sjta-tioned at the Naval Yard In Virginia, has been spending several days at his home here. Pfc. George Byce arrived home this week on a short furlough! Send Round Robin Letter To Cpl. Van Haun A round robin letter to Cpl. Wilson Van Haun, a former member of the 4-H club, was written at a recent meeting of the organization held in the home of tfiil Wilhelm of Leavitt-rd. Vice-president John Kingsley called the meeting to order and took charge until the president, oc-rry Flock arrived. Routine ousintss was transacted. The members were unable to have their usual ball game due to bad weather. Mrs. Wilhelm served refreshments at the close of the meeting. Frank Linn will be host at the next session. INavy School Keeps Sailor On The Hop We recently received a very interesting letter from Bob Wen-zel, navy. He gave us an excellent account of navy school life. He writes, "We begin school around four-thirty and have 1 two one - hour periods devoted to the receiving of semaphore and Morse code. At six-thirty we go to evening 'chow" and are free until seven- thirty; then we march back to school. "Then we have four more one hour periods. The first hour we review English and spelling, the second period 'we have semaphore again, the third we study all the different flags, and last but not least, one period of Morse code." "We usually get out of school about eleven forty-five. 'Lights out' is at 12:30. We don't 'hit the deck' in the morning until 8:00. On Mondays we go swimming; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays we have calisthentics, and Friday we hike about three miles. After these scheduled activities are completed each day, the rest of the time is ours until the 'school bell rings.' "I really enjoy school a lot. There are about fifty men in our section so we have a good sized class. Our instructors are all third class quartermasters and one "swell" bunch of fellows. 1 "We have two canteens near us for our entertainment. We get to see the Great Lakes baseball team play. They played and beat the St. Louis Cardinals. "We don't get any time off during the week but every other weekend we get thirty-two hours liberty. We have an inspection of all our clothes before we leave to see that they are all clean and rolled and tied up neatly. That's just like the inspection we had in 'boot camp'." Bob Is located close to Bob Womack. They get to see each other every day. i For his friends' convenience Bob's present address is: Robert W. Wenzel, S2c, Section R 5-2, Barracks 506, Upper Port, U. S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, 111. LEAVE FRIDAY TO VISIT CPL. SMITH Mr. and Mrs. James Balog and Walter Smith of South Amherst will leave Friday for Camp Shelby, Miss, to visit their brother, Cpl. Joseph Smith who fs stationed there for the present. From Mississippi the local people will go to New Orleans, La. to visit Miss Muriel Walt, Cpl. Smith's fiancee. Cpl. Smith has been In the army over two years. STUDYING AT B. G. Aviation Cadet Russell Krieg Is furthering his schooling as a navy pilot at Bowling Green. His address Is, C.A.A.-W.T.S., Kohl Hall, Box 120, Bowling Green, O. Take Precaution In Returning Blanks Postmaster E. C. Stiwald asks the people of Amherst and the rural routes who are returning through 5 mail their application for the new ration books to be sure that, they have filled them out completely and have signed their names. Many .of the cards have been returned already and half of those that have come in are unsigned. These people who haven't signed their cards will not be getting the bookthey are expecting. People are asked to fill them out carefully. Military Services For N. J. Brucker Funeral services were held for Nelson J. Brucker, 51, veteran of World, War I, Tuesday afternoon at the Zilch Funeral Home. Brucker was born in Amherst and lived most of his life in this vicinity. '. He was a member of the American Legion and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Amherst Aerie, No. 1442. The Legion took part in the Military service and Rev. C. C. Vandersall officiated.He is survived by his father, Fred Brucker, two brothers, Walter and Norman of Amherst and one sister, Mrs. Ernest Koch of Lakewood. Eagles oin Groun For Youth Activities Amherst Aerie Eagles will contribute $25 toward the estab lishment of a recreation center for the young people of Amherst, it was decided at the Aerie's meeting Monday night. The local order voted,t.ajd the project in all ways possible. The matter was presented to the lodge by George Fox, representing a committee of firemen supporting the project. The Eagles will hold a patriotic rally in connection with their joint intiation with the Auxiliary June 9. The paritotic rally will be part of the national order's observance of Flag Day. Nelson Schieferstein also urged Eagle members to turn out Sunday afternoon to take part in the Memorial Day program here. Amherst Girl Takes Part In College Play Miss Janet Smith, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. A. H. Smith of Cleveland-av, took part In the drama "Letters from Lucerne" which was presented by the Dramatic class of Flora Stone Mather, Western Reserve University, Saturday evening. Mrs. Smith attended the performance.Buy More War Bonds OVER In Honor Wardens Report Two Violations In .Blackout j i Onlv two violations wore re-1 ported in Tuesday night's blackout in Amherst. Both of those reported were residences, one in South Main-st, and the other in Middle-st. What action will be taken against these violators was not determined by the local defense council this week, but attention to the violations will be called by some action of the council next Monday night. In the previous blackout violators were sent letters. The effectiveness of the letters was proved Tuesday night when none of them were repeaters. While the local council does not want to deal too harshly with violators, they do want it understood that blackouts must be obeyed, said Charles Kendeigh, local defense council commander. Kendeigh expressed considerable gratification at the response of civilian defense personnel who reported ready for service. Air raid wardens and auxiliary police patrolled the streets, looking closely for lights that reflected into the street, or automobiles or pedestrians that violated regulations. Thirty-nine wardens and 27 auxiliary police patrolled every street in town during the thirty-minute blackout period. Other services that reported ready for emergency service were: 23 messengers, 31 firemen, 7 gas repairs, 8 demolition, 3 electric, 5 water and sewer, 4 decontamination, 2 bomb reconnaissance, 30 first aiders, 1 communication, 7 transportation, and 16 at the control center. Wardens reported that within two minutes of the blackout signal every place in town was blackedout with the exception of the two violations. Except for those stores that are open at night, all lights were extinguished before the signal. Those stores open at night immediately blackedout as soon as the signal was heard. Police and wardens reported no difficulty with traffic. Automobiles proceeded under dim lights following the first signal. A few drivers were stopped, but these cooperated when informed that the blackout had started. Another state approved surprise blackout is expected to be held soon. No advance notice will be given, and the public will be expected to be controlled entirely by the warning signals. State headquarters pointed out that northern Ohio will be one of the principal targets should a raid actually occur, since it is undefended, and since many large defense plants are located within the area. The mothers class will meet Thursday at two p. m. at the Am herst hospital. All expectant mothers are welcome to attend. HEART 19171918 CHATEAU-THIERRY BELLEAU WOODS AISNE-MARNE ST. MIHIEL MEUSE-ARGONNE 1941-1942 PEARL HARBOR WAKE PHILIPPINES EAST INDIES of Those SANDSTONE CENTER OF THE WORLD Amherst Receives Share Meet Tonight On j Of License Revenue Youth Center At Distribution of $8,953,902 to the cities, counties and townships was made last week upon authorization of Highway Director H. G. Sours. The money represented the first partial distribution of the 1943 automobile license tag revenue. The partial distribution represents 50 percent of the revenue which will be received for the 1943 registration year. Of the total sum distributed, 47 percent goes to the counties and 25 percent to the municipalities. Amherst received $1,375 for its first partial share. Graduates Will Receive Diplomas "Shape of Things To Come" will be the title of the address to be given by Rev. Russell Humbert of Toledo next Wednesday evening at the 56th annual commencement exercises of Amherst high school. Rev. Humbert, minister of the Epworth Methodist church of To- Rev. Russell Humbert ledo, is well-known in Ohio for his work as a minister as well as his activities in the towns which he has served. While in Akron he was voted the outstanding young man in 1938 and given, the Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award. The commencement exercises will start at 8:15. Mr. Ray Jew-ett, president of the Board of Education, will present diplomas to 47 seniors Wednesday evening. Miss Marion Steele will present the class of 1943. Miss Phyllis Portman will sing "My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice" by Saint-Saens. The senior orchestra under the direction of Floyd Moore will offer several selections and will also play the processional "Entree de Procession" by Batiste. SENIOR ACTIVITIES Monday evening, May 31, Class Night 8:00 Wednesday Morning 8:00 Alumni Breakfast Wednesday Evening 8:15 Commencement Friday Evening Alumni Dance Members of the 1943 class are as follows: officers Robert Mi huta, president; June Ruth, vice- president; Lois Schibley, secre tary and treasurer; Margaret Acevez, Norma Barckert, Paul Belt, Edward Bierman, Jacqueline Braeudigam, Robert Brucker, Donald Brumback, Vivian Carr. Albert Conrad, Lois Dean, Mar-jorie Dcuschle, Dorothy Dute, Shirley Ehlert, Richard Ehrman, Walter Gambish, Alice Gawne, Glenn Hedges, Lois Heler, Paul Hogrefe, Mildred Hollingsworth, Ludloph Kreeger, Leroy Ku-buske, Lee Leuszler, Frank Linn, Shirley Menz, Cora Miller, Thel-ma Nichols, Chester Palen. John Penton, Robert Prittie, Michael Radosevlch, Shirley Rein-hardt, Eugene Ricket, Ruth Ros-enkranz, Iole Roth, June Sabiers, Don Sahl, Ruth Schulz, Bette Scott, Barbara Spolarich, Dorothy Walker, Gordon Ward, Christina Wolf and Elaine Hamann. Electrical thread stitches metals in the making of planes. f J mp Town Hall, 7:30 Amherst will have a' recreation center for junior and senior high school pupils if present plans being worked out are successfully carried out. Except for the inital cost, which is expected to be low, the sponsors hope to make ' the center self-supporting. A public meeting at which present plans will be outlined, will be held tonight (Thursday) at the town hall at 7:30. Sponsors' hope for a generous representa- tion of the public at the meeting so that objections which might develop may be corrected be fore the center is opened. The center is being sponsored by the firemen who acted upon a proposal initiated by a group of high school puipls. The cen ter will be in one of the vacant halls of the town, and volunteer supervisors will be in charge during hours when it is open. ' It is planned to have the center open afternoons and evenings during the summer, and evenings only during the school year. The types of recreation that will be offered depends somewhat on the equipment that the spon- 1 sors are able to secure. Much of it will either be donated or built by the high school pupils. Included in the plans for the center will be the use of the athletic field during the summer vacation. Older high school boys will prepare the field for use and will supervise the activities of the younger children. "We want to get the bugs out of this thing before we start, and so we are anxious that a large crowd of people attend tonight's meeting. People having opposing ideas ought to come especially so that the pitfalls can be avoided," said George Fox, one of the com mittee. Memorial Program Set For Sunday Hugh Haynes, commander of the American Legion, will be of-. ficer of the day in the annual Memorial Day procession to be held Sunday afternoon at two o'clock. Because of the holiday falling on Sunday the program has been planned for the afternoon.The legion, auxiliary, Eagles, firemen, school children, faculty and ail others who desire will take yai i in iiic yi ui-eaaiuii una year. . ... iM . 1 : Rev. Fr. James H. Smith will open the program at two o'clock with the Invocation; the group will follow with singing of "America."Mayor John H. Michael will introduce the speaker, Rev. J. H. Deemer of Lorain. Following benediction by Rev. E. J. Sanderson, taps will be sounded by Don Sweet. The Legion will then lead the group to Crownhill cemetery where graves will be decorated. The public school children will fall in with the procession when it arrives at the school fromTrown-hill. At the corners of Tenney and Church-sts, the parochial school children will join the group and then the line of march will proceed to Cleveland-st cemetery where the program will be held and then the lines dismissed.Although Amherst's Memorial Day program will be observed or Sunday, Amherst stores will close; all day Monday. SUMMER ROUND-UP PLANNED FOR JUNE 1 Mrs. Harold Mathes, president of the Parent-Teachers' Ass'n of the public school, announced that the summer roundup of little children to start to school next fall will be held Tuesday, June 1 at two o'clock. Mothers and their children are invited to attend the round up which will be held in the Music Room of the school. The children will have a chance to visit the school rooms as will the mothers. Miss Smith, county health nurse will be pre-ent. Lunch and , tea will be seized.