The Times Herald from Port Huron, Michigan • Page 11

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2001 www.theTimesHerald.com TIMES HERALD, PORT HURON, MICHIGAN 11A Members of the Times Herald editorial board: Chuck Wanninger Denise Richter president and publisher executive editor Thomas D. Walker Katie Haddad opinion page editor director ot market development Shawn Starkey Garth J. Kriewall city editor features editor Opinion To contact any members of the editorial board, call opinion page editor Tom Walker at 989-6278. Opinion by Dick Wright ED Yffi MS Weddings are blessed events that can drive you up the wall A Jfy wtfe's sister was 7 lVJLrec ecently married. Brown, Panzenhagen touched this newspaper editor's heart It seemed fitting that retired Times Herald reporter John F.

Brown was the one to tell the story of Mildred Panzenhagen, a retired teacher in the Port Huron Area School District who died recently at the age of 97. Mrs. Panzenhagen was the best teacher I had while growing up in Port Huron. She taught my class in fifth grade at Roosevelt Elementary and helped me understand the important role teachers play in a child's growth and development. I was shy, timid and perhaps even a bit afraid of the prospect of going to school, but Mrs.

Panzenhagen would have none of that. She took me under her wing, and by the end of the year, instilled a sense of confidence that remains to this day. It was fitting that John Brown told of Mrs. Panzenhagen's impact on people's lives throughout her 97 years because he, too, left his mark on me while teaching a writing class at St. Clair County Community College in the mid-1970s.

John took the time to work with me on my writing and suggested I look into working at the college newspaper. So I did. Twenty-six years later, I am still taking that advice today, serving as editor of the Midland Daily News. Most of us can look back on our lives and point to one or two people besides our parents who took the time to help us out and in the process helped form the people we are today. Mildred Panzenhagen and John Brown were two of such people for me, and I will be forever gratefuL JOHN TELFER II Midland, Dec.

19 U.S. anti-terror campaign is just, necessary commitment Suggesting, as Michael McCarthy did in his Dec. 13 letter, that the impending death of Afghan refugees is a "direct result of our choosing the massive violence of war" and there are "people in places of power in the United States who have decided thousands of Afghans are to die because their destitution threatens our security" is laughable. Any war that puts the fate of America at stake becomes a "just" war. Ours is not an aggressive, but a defensive war.

Mr. McCarthy exercises a different perspective that these tragic truths are the direct result of a few morbid tyrants. The only thing necessary for the triumph of their evil is for good men to proceed with kindness of heart and decline engagement. Judging from the history of mankind, it was war that shapes peace. War will endure to the end of history.

The Prince of Peace and His apostles walked this world while wars raged, yet they said not a word of war being "unjust" or immoral, as you feel. And nowhere does the Bible prohibit war. Salus Populi Suprema Lex. RON PAULI Marine City, Dec. 14 central command post.

11 a.m. We receive a call from a rival beauty salon. My mother-in-law has shown up there with no appointment. However, her glare and demeanor led to two cancellations. The rival beauty salon will gladly accommodate her.

11:15 a.m. The mother of the ring bearer reports she's "feeling funny" after taking a cold medication. Hives appear on her face and During the weeks preceding the wedding, I had become increasingly angry with my wife (the matron of honor) and my mother-in-law (the mother of the bride) for continually repeating the phrase, "If we can just get through this wedding, everything will be fine." To me, a wedding is an event to be celebrated. It is a time when two GARY ARMSTRONG POINT OF VIEW School officials need the public more than ever KEY TOPIC: Education East China must keep cultivating communication with residents East China School officials may be learning a hard lesson: Success demands greater attention to accountability. In this case, that doesn't just mean making sure the books are in order, it means strengthening communication with district residents.

That approach has helped the district see success. Communication played a vital role in voter approval of a $39 million bond proposal in 1998. A new middle school was built in St. Clair. Two high schools were renovated and the district was able to upgrade its technology.

In September, voters narrowly passed a two-year, $12.9 million bond extension to build a performing arts center, replace a stadium field and other athletic improvements. District officials made strong cases for both proposals. The campaigns were based on extensive community input and marked by active community leadership that promoted the issues' passage. Today, East China finds itself facing the same challenges of many other Michigan public school districts. The economy is in decline.

State funding is being reduced. The public wants more assurance that district officials are paying close attention to the bottom line. The district has been growing pretty steadily for most of the past decade. District leaders have consistently asked the public to help them determine the projects that should be pursued to accommodate that new growth. Despite that consensus, these difficult times demand that district officials take special steps to show taxpayers they are spending their money wisely.

The district was aggressive in its outreach efforts for both bond proposals. Similar efforts could help win over current critics. Circumstances have changed. Many districts are cutting back on their spending. East China has forged a good plan for meeting its future needs.

But the strategy needs more feedback. Communication with the public is a fragile thing. District leaders would be wise to keep cultivating it. A day to remember Some pupils see the last day of school as a necessary evil to be endured. English teacher Jay McCulloch made his classes musical and literary experiences to be enjoyed.

Mr. McCulloch turned a portable classroom at Marine City High School into a coffeehouse on Wednesday, the day before winter break. Musicians performed. Poetry was read. Coffee was sipped.

Education isn't always about books and lectures. Sometimes, you have to sample things. Mr. McCulloch admitted that a converted classroom wouldn't completely capture a coffeehouse atmosphere. But it was close.

His students reaped the benefits. They got a chance to explore the coffeehouse scene without having to travel to Ann Arbor or Royal Oak. Most important, they put their last day before winter recess to good use. pack to her fractured fingers. I feign sympathy, and suggest clear tape to hold her fingers together until after the wedding.

1:35 p.m. The ring bearer has been successfully corralled, washed and clothed. No word, yet, on his mother's condition. I pack up the minivan with ring bearer, matron of honor, and flower girl (my daughter) and head for the church. 2:30 p.m.

We arrive at the church. The matron of honor, flower girl and ring bearer receive last-minute instructions. 2:48 p.m. The mother of the ring bearer arrives. The allergic reaction is under control with new medicatioa 3 p.nu The wedding begins.

The mother of the bride is ushered to her seat (her hair looks great). The ring bearer, flower girl and matron of honor all perform flawlessly. The wedding is beautiful. 5:15 p.m. At the reception, my father-in-law and I watch my daughter dance in her white, flower girl dress.

She is beautiful. "What a blessed event her wedding will be," my father-in-law remarks. I softly whisper to myself, "I'll be happy if we just get through it." Gary Armstrong of Marysville is an industrial manager. He is a former Times Herald community columnist. people publicly profess their love for one another, and all of the people who have nurtured them and will support them during their marriage are gathered to honor and rejoice in this blessed union.

But the attitude of my wife and mother-in-law persisted until finally, the night before the wedding (after just a few sips of blackberry brandy) I was able to convince both of them that literally nothing was going to happen that could disrupt such a wonderful occasion. Then came Saturday mqrning. 10 a.m. My mother-in-law departs for a hair appointment. 10:30 ajn.

The beauty salon calls. My mother-in-law never arrived. 1031 a.m. A full-scale search and rescue mission is launched, involving several cars with cell phones and yours truly at the neck She's taken to the hospital emergency room for a possible allergic reaction to her medication. The ring bearer is deposited with me.

I must get him dressed and delivered to the church in the event that his mother cannot make the wedding. 11:30 a.m. I chop wood outside to pass the time and release a little pent-up energy. 12:30 p.m. My wife (the matron of honor) opens the window to cheerfully inform me that it is time to get ready for the wedding.

But, the window falls swiftly on her hand, fracturing two fingers. The window falls so swiftly that the matron of honor's yell never reaches me. 12:50 p.m. I head in to get ready for the wedding, and am met with a number of choice words from the matron of honor as she struggles to apply an ice FC3 TIIE DM: What kind of shopper are you: early bird or last-minute? QUESTION OF HIE DAY: By ROSEMARY TAYLOR "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States Visit our online poll www.thetimesherald.com I join hie Discussion We welcome your comments. Only submissions that include name, address and day and evening phone numbers and that are verified by the 77mes Herald can be considered for publication.

Letters to the editor of 250 or fewer words and opinion columns with a maximum of 600 words and a minimum of 500 have the best chance of being published. All submissions may be edited for length, accuracy and clarity. Letters to the editor, opinion columns and articles submitted to the 77mes Herald may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms. BY MAIL: Times Herald, P.O. Box 5009, Port Huron 48061-5009.

BY FAX: 989-6294. BY E-MAIL: Our Internet address is tmshrldic.net. Considering that I just Ogot home from shopping, I have to say last-minute. I try to wait I try watching how I much I spend earlier. Then, at the last minute, the heck with it, I buy!" "riefinitely early.

My shopping was long ago completed." Eddie Kindle athletic coach Fort Gratiot "I start early, but it usu-I ally takes me awhile to decide what to get everybody. So I finish late." Nicole Fochtman student Port Huron Mary Coulter 3a lu homemaker to fit it into my schedule." Port Huron Joel Weston student Fort Gratiot known publicly." Barb from Port Huron: "In regard to Rick looking for morel mushrooms, I would assume he wanted them dried. They can be reached at a really neat place called American Spoon Foods in Petoskey. They also are online. But I know for sure he would be able to get morels.

I placed an order and they should have gotten there in about five days. So maybe if you get it in the paper soon enough, he would be able to have his morels." Morton holds his own on Tonight Show' Johnnie Morton appeared on the Tonight Show ednesday. Good for him. The Detroit Lions got a lot of windage from Tonight Show host Jay Leno for their 0-12 record. When the Lions beat the Vikings Sunday, Mr.

Morton had a few choice words to share with Mr. Leno on national TV. Mr. Leno invited the Lions receiver to appear on the show. Good for Mr.

Leno. Both conducted themselves well. Now, to the phones: Larry of Port Huron: "Michigan high schools separate their boygirl seasons to make better use of limited facilities and coaching. Since most schools will not be able to provide equal time, equal facilities and equal coaching, they will be forced to drop their athletic programs entirely. I don't think that will benefit the girls much.

What was that judge thinking?" Sue from Fair Haven: "I'd like to leave a message for the people that either live or travel on Arnold Road that are stealing signs and bashing in mailboxes. I think that they should look up the word 'karma' in the dictionary, and have a very merry Christmas." What goes around, comes around, right, Sue? James from North Street: "I would just like to see if we could get people to donate their Carter receipts for community cash to help the ClearView Substance Abuse Center fight the substance abuse problems we find. It would be greatly appreciated. You can mail those to P.O. Box 611135, Port fought for our country that we can fly the flag for." Bill, a World War II vet from Port Huron: "In regard to Mary Lou Creamer's article in Sunday's paper about Commander Bill Burtch's incident at whatever church and I use the word 'church' loosely this was despicable.

To treat any war vet of any war this way is way out of line. When he was in the war with his life on the line, every day helping to keep these same people able to live a life of freedom, his long hair didn't seem to bother them. And by the way, I've been in many churches and have never seen a picture of Jesus Christ or His disciples with short hair. This veteran. Commander Burtch, and all veterans deserve a public apology from the whole congregation of this so-called church.

Shame, shame, shame! I will find out what church it was and make it Huron, MI 48061. Thank you very much." Tom from Jeddo: "I don't know if you can help or not. But we drove off, out in the Jeddo area by the Dorsey House on our way into town, with a box full of knives on the roof of our car! My wife sells the knives as a fundraiser for an organization. It's going to cost us a small fortune to replace them. If anybody found them, could you maybe put them in touch with us? Sure, lean do that, Tom.

C.H. from Capac: "I was born in France, and I've thought about the Statue of Liberty, which was made in France. Was it made for the United States or did they make it in France and just decide to give it to the United States? I have no idea how it came about. Maybe you can straighten me out." The sfufue's idea came from Edouard-Rene Lefebvre de Lahoulaye, a French politi cian. Auguste Barthodi, a French sculptor, designed the statue.

It was created in Paris, disassembled and sent to the United States. Mr. Barthodi hoped to unveil the finished statue on July 4, 1876. But the official dedication didn't occur until Oct. 28, 1886.

It was supposed to have been a memorial to the alliance between France and the American colonists during the Revolutionary War. Today, it is a universal symbol of freedom. In fact, the Statue reopened to public Thursday morning for the first time since Sept. 11. Jackie from Port Huron: "I'm calling about the write-up in Sunday's paper about the veteran being asked to leave a church because of his long hair.

That is absolutely ridiculous. Jesus had long hair. Jesus would have accepted that man just like he is! I just can't believe that church treated that veteran that way. That veteran TO OXER TALKBACK 989-6297 TalkBack is the newspaper's version of a radio talk show. The opinions are Tom's and those of his readers.

The TalkBack line is open 24 hours. CALL TALKBACK The TalkBack line is open 24 hours: (810)989-6297 Toll free: Call 1-800-462-4057 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays..