Making a difference one soul at a time

I was moved by an event I witnessed in downtown Kokomo this past week. I don’t know if anyone other than three people involved, and myself, actually witnessed it. I had left my job to go to lunch at noon time. I saw a man pushing a woman in a wheelchair. They appeared to be heading toward our local mission.

A car pulled up behind them, and a woman got out of the car. She approached the couple and offered them what appeared to be an extra large cup of coffee or hot chocalate. I don’t know if she had bought it for herself, then saw the struggling couple, and was moved to offer them some encouragement. The point being she was moved to obey a higher calling.

I choose to believe she had stopped to get herself a drink, and saw these folks. She was then moved by the “spirit.” I believe she chose to make a difference in those people’s lives through that small act of kindness that day. One thing I know, it made a difference in mine. It was a reminder to me about the real “reason for the season.”

You see, God gave us the greatest gift of all time, His Son. We, too, can make a difference through the kindness of sharing what we have with one another. The small things, can and do make a difference. “Thanks,” to whoever you are, for your act of kindness and obedience.

“When you have done it unto the least of these you have done it unto me.”    

Chuck McCoskey, Kokomo

A great season at the Seiberling

It’s been a wonderful holiday season at the Seiberling Mansion. We’re still counting, but it looks like one of the best-attended Decembers on record. From the Christmas decorations to our visit from Saint Nick, from the opening night party to the Holiday Spirits Wine Tasting, and from the new Civil War Exhibit to the Seiberling Inspiration raffle, we’ve relished the opportunity to share Howard County’s historical treasures with hundreds and hundreds of visitors from around the country.

We owe a debt of gratitude to many people and organizations for sharing their time and talent. Dozens of volunteers decorated and staffed the mansion. They include Tri Kappa, the DAR General James Cox Chapter, Altrusa, Psi Iota Xi, Karen Burkhardt, Goldie Snavely, the Faith and Friendship circle from First Church of the Nazarene, Jane Kincaid and Juanita Martin, Symposium, the Schick-Donaldson Families, Patti Host, and the board members of the historical society.

The Kokomo Brass and Kokomo Men of Note entertained our visitors, along with the Miller-Schnepp Duo, the Choraleers and the Western High School Choir. David Britton and Laurie Trlak performed on keyboard and violin and Nick Johnson on guitar.

Jeff Watson of J. Watson Creations designed and made a stunning pendant and necklace for our fundraising campaign. Silent auction baskets and items were donated by Peggy Hobson, Soupley’s Wine and Spirits, IUK Alumni Association, St. Joseph St. Vincent Hospital, The Early Learning Center, Solidarity Federal Credit Union, and Accessories by Sandy.

The museum’s staff did a wonderful job (again!) of managing the Seiberling and hosting our guests. Bill Baldwin deserves special credit for hours and hours spent stringing lights inside and out and assisting the decorators .

The Wyman Group presented the Christmas Open House, and Soupley’s Wine and Spirits and Rozzi’s Catering sponsored the wine-tasting. Liberty Financial hosted the opening reception for the new Civil War Exhibit. Breezy Lane Carriages made some special memories with rides through the Silk Stocking District. The media outlets of Howard County, print and broadcast, all stepped up to help us make everyone aware of the activities in the museum. We wouldn’t have succeeded without their help.

The museum will be closed during January, while we take down and pack away the Christmas decorations and do our annual deep cleaning. We’ll be back open in February, with the Civil War as a featured exhibit through the end of May.

On behalf of the board of directors and the staff of the historical society, thanks for a great year – and happy New Year!

Dave Broman, executive director

Setting the record straight on wind farm

This letter is concerning the article “Wind farm tax abatement OK’d” by Ken de la Bastide dated Dec. 19. In it, Bastide writes that juwi stated “there [has] been no negative impact on property values in Benton and White counties in northwestern Indiana,” where other wind farms exist.

The quote in de la Bastide’s story is not correct. The presenter stated that in the five studies he cited last night at the meeting, there was no negative impact on the assessed property value of the land or homes in a one-to-five mile radius. When the presenter said there was no negative impact on the market value, he quickly corrected himself: There was a negative impact on the resale value of the homes and land during the construction period. But he did not give any facts on the effect of the wind farm on the resale values of our homes after the wind farm construction, only on the assessed values.

For many of us, our homes are our largest investments. The three presenters from juwi did nothing to reassure us that we would not lose money on our homes due to the wind farm.

Sharon Watson, Tipton