the BEACON Newspaper, Indiana beacon 1-18 web | Page 17

NEW ALSACE By Maxine Klump Community Correspondent [email protected] Editor's note- Maxine Klump passed away recently. She loved writing for the BEACON and sharing her thoughts with all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maxine's family as they celebrate her life and the joys they shared with her. Hello Everyone, The North Dearborn Ameri- can Legion Post #452 in New Alsace will hold two Jan. Euchre Tournaments - Jan. 7 and Jan. 21. Doors open at noon - play begins at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome! We send our deepest sympa- thy to the family and friends of Raymond G. Hemke, age 95, who passed away on Nov. 5. Mr. Hemke leaves his sis- ter, Mary Ann Disch, several nieces and nephews, and other relatives and many friends. Mass of Christian Burial was at St. Paul Catholic Church, All Saints Parish, with Rev. Jonathan Meyer officiating. Burial was at the St. Paul Catholic Cemetery. Ray was honored with a twenty-one gun salute and flag ceremony by the New Alsace American Legion Post #452. The Le- gion Post invited family and friends to the Legion Home for lunch and fellowship after the funeral. YORKVILLE & GUILFORD By Amanda (Wells) Harper Community Correspondent [email protected] As my husband and I walked out of Kmart this weekend, the lady standing by the red kettle ringing her bell said “Happy Holidays.” Dave commented to our son Caleb, “That is when you say Merry Christmas back to them.” I started thinking about this whole politically correct ridiculousness that has taken over our society and how the meanings of Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings are to each of us. For children, Merry Christ- mas means that a mysterious fat guy in a red suit will be sneaking into their houses to leave them gifts if they have been good for the year. For twenty-somethings, the season can mean the day that they finally get the ring they have been dreaming about. For the twenty-five to thirty-fives, the holidays can mean that they have to find the perfect gifts and then dress up the kids and get to four different events to show them off. Add trying to get the ur Communities Mr. Hemke served in the U.S. Army during WWII and received 3 Bronze Stars. He was one of the founding members of the Legion Post in New Alsace and remained an active member for over 70 years. He was a life-long member of St. Paul Catholic Church, All Saints Parish. He was in charge of the Quilt Stand at the Church Picnics. Mr. Hemke said he had worked in the quilt stand as a small boy and took it over from his dad when he died in 1947. He enjoyed traveling and pho- tography. Later in life he took up painting - beautiful oil paintings. I remember Ray as friend- ly, always smiling, and con- siderate of others. Mr. Hemke always asked about my grand- son, Michael Damon. He was concerned about Mike's deployments overseas and his Army career. He really cared. Ray will be greatly missed by me and many others. A bit of history: The history of the North Dearborn Ameri- can Legion Post #452 in New Alsace started in 1946. A group of Veterans met in the St. Paul School basement on Aug. 13, 1946 where they chose the name of the legion post and elected their first officers. The Charter was approved by the American Legion. The Women's Auxil- iary was organized in 1947. In 1949 land was purchased for the Legion Home and baseball field. Money was raised to build the Legion Home and in 1953 the 30' x 60' log building was erect- ed. It had a fireplace made of stone. Over the years more land was purchased and the building had additions to the back and side, which included a kitchen, dining area, and restrooms. The North Dearborn Ameri- can Legion Post 452 is an asset to our area. A few of their ac- tivities include sponsoring soft- ball, Little League, and Ameri- can Legion baseball teams, sending boys to Boys State, starting Sons of the American Legion, and sponsoring Boy Scout Troop #646. They hold a monthly Euchre Tournament, host dinners, dances, wedding receptions, and other festivities. The Legion Post is very active and giving. They really contrib- ute to the community. In celebration of the Post's 50 Anniversary in 1996, George Hornbach wrote: "Af- ter 50 years existence of North Dearborn Legion Post 452, we are proud and thankful to all who made our $425.00 lot into one of the finest legion facili- ties around. Where would we be if it weren't for the help of Auxiliary, Sons of Legion and Boy Scouts?...As written in the history of the first twenty- five years, many of us will be missing at the seventy-fifth an- niversary in the year 2021. We will know that Post 452 with veterans, auxiliary and Sons of Legion will carry out the principal and tradition as it has been in the first 50 years." This is so true for today too! I'm pleased to say that my husband, Michael Klump, was a founding member and I am a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Many members of our family are proud to be- long to the American Legion and Auxiliary. Space gone, so long. children to take naps and keep everyone happy. For the forty-five to sixty- five year youngs, the season can mean, “I can’t wait for the kids to come. The grandkids will love their gifts. We are so happy to have them all back home, even if it’s only for a short time.” For those over sixty-five, the season changes once again. Kids and grandkids are busy and don’t find as much time to visit. Many times health is failing for them, their friends and loved ones, and many pass on during this phase. Christmas could be a very sad time for this group. We all have seasons in our lives. Not holidays, but seasons of good and bad, of sickness and health, love and heartache, fun times, and hard times. These seasons are when you hold close the ones you love to help you get through. And when you will be there for them when they are going through hard times as well. Christmas to me means love. I have a God in Heaven that loved me and all of hu- manity so much that he was willing to send his perfect Son as a gift to the world to save us from the craziness that we experience every day. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall not per- ish but have eternal life. The holidays are not about presents, or the perfect meal, or the best dress at the “Holi- day” party. It’s about a savior who gave his life to save ours. He offers us the perfect gift of his love and forgiveness. When we open this gift, then all of the seasons of our life have new meaning. Christmas isn’t about gifts anymore; it is about the fam- ily around the tree. It’s not about rushing to get to all of the events, but taking some time out to visit the loved one in the nursing home or invit- ing your neighbor who lost a loved one this year to your family gathering. It’s about teaching our children that Christ’s love is more impor- tant than the boxes under the tree. Teaching them to give to others less fortunate than them to make their day. Smil- ing at the person on the street or at the store who seems lost in his thoughts or sadness. Life throws a lot of unex- pected events in our path, but with God’s love, friends, and family support, even the hard times can be some of the best times of our lives. Please take a moment to wish Sharon Castle a Happy Birthday on Dec. 29. Merry Christmas to every- one! 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