Rigelhaupts' generosity long will be remembered
Rigelhaupts' generositylong will be remembered
EDITOR:
I commend you on the article in Sunday's Vindicator about the good citizenship and generosity of the late Sid and Bert Rigelhaupt. Those of us who knew the attorneys and brothers could tell many stories about their unselfish service to others.
It would please them so much to see students receiving an education as a result of their gift to Youngstown State University.
The book of Micah exhorts us to "Do justice, love, kindness, and walk humbly with your God."
Sid and Bert Rigelhaupt did those things.
ROBERT W. JONES
Struthers
Three cheers for the choirat Austintown Fitch High
EDITOR:
I am writing to thank the Austintown Fitch Choir and its director Mrs. Williams. The choir performed at St. Brendan Altar and Rosary Christmas Party on Dec. 6.
The program was wonderful, and the choir was outstanding.
Both the parents of choir members and Mrs. Williams can be very proud of these young people. They were courteous and gracious to all in attendance.
MURIEL GALIAS
Youngstown
Gobble Wobble race directorcheers runners, gives thanks
EDITOR:
Over the past several years, overall registration for the annual Gobble Wobble 5-kilometer Race on Thanksgiving Day at Buhl Park has steadily grown to 900. A record 695 people preregistered and despite cold weather early Thanksgiving morning, around 200 more registered on race day. While the cold did keep some of the preregistered at home, the finish line volunteers were unanimous in their contention that the 18th Gobble Wobble was the largest ever.
This was our first year for computerized timing, and 671 runners crossed the finish line with a timing chip on, in near white-out conditions. An estimated 100 more runners crossed the finish line without the aid of a timing chip. Some people didn't realize they had to get a chip; others didn't care whether they picked up a chip, and there are always some turkeys who run the race without registering at all.
The Shenango Conservancy Board recognizes and thanks the Buhl Farm Trustees and the Buhl Farm Park staff, Greenville Savings Bank, J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home, Inc., Dean Dairy, Steve's Teez, Runner's High Timing Services, and our local media for their continuing support of the Gobble Wobble.
We are also most thankful for all of our eager participants, their families and friends. Remember to "Run For Your Life" in 2006, and please come back next year as we shoot for the 1,000 barrier at the 19th Annual Gobble Wobble!
GARY LACKEYRace director
The Shenango Conservancy
Hermitage, Pa.
Woman with eye disorderthanks many who helped
EDITOR:
I appreciate my family and friends who stood by me in my time of crisis.
A big thank you to all who have called, wrote, asked about me this past year. It is so nice to know people really do care without a motive. Thanks to my very good friend Libby Fill, the queen of Tamburitzan music, radio celebrity and all- around good Samaritan. Thanks, too, to all the Tamburitzan Club members for their help. Thanks, too, to so many others; you know who you are. Thanks to my family for understanding what a difficult time I was going through.
Thanks to Father Mike from St. Joseph the Provider Church, Campbell, Father Joe at Sts. Peter & amp; Paul Church in Youngstown and Rev. Gary Schreckengost, and to my church, St. John's Slovak Luther Church in Youngstown.
My thanks also go to Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti and his family for all their kindness and help. Thanks, too, to Mahoning County Budget Director George Tablack and Congressman Ted Strickland and his staff for all of their help. I could not have succeeded without support of all these people at a struggling time in my life. How wonderful a feeling I have for life itself. Good friends and family -- what else could a person ask for in time of need?
I have a disease of my eyes called "blepharospasm." It's a little known disease that will not kill you, but it will disable you to a certain degree.
It will cause depression to set in, if you let it overwhelm you as it did me.
I would not socialize or leave my house. But with God's help, family and friends, all that has changed. I am going to be talking more about this disease in the near feature to help others in the area who have "blepharospasm" and don't know it.
All they know is they can't keep their eyelids open. Most doctors are unaware of such diseases yet. I now belong to a "Blephro club," and I will be talking more to the news media and talk shows to help other people with such disease. Nobody knows what a lonely feeling you have when you have such a problem like this "Blepharo" as you are able to see OK but you cannot keep your eyelids open. I'm not blind, but yet sometimes I can't see.
Thank you all who helped me once again. Happy holidays!
LINDA KOVACHIKBoardman
Medicare choices leavewoman in Catch-22 situation
EDITOR:
After pondering for several months and attending several seminars, it is still a very difficult decision whether to select one of Medicare's Part D medication programs. While still pondering, I received another Medicare shock.
Just today I went to have a physician's ordered repeat mammogram. I was waiting for my examination when the receptionist approached me very apologetically, stating she had another document to sign (other than the routine). She explained that Medicare has a new ruling, which started just this week, that Medicare will charge a co-payment for this procedure (they've never charged it before). I read the document that stated if these procedures are done at an outpatient facility, even if it's connected to a larger hospital, there will be an out-of-pocket cost.
I've been upset from Day 1 for being forced to pay a monthly fee for medications whether I need any or not and will still have a co-payment. If you're 60 or up, you have very little choice.
Now I am paying zero dollars for a prescription discount card and have been receiving approximately 98 percent discount on my medications with no limits.
I'd like to know why the government is demanding a monthly fee when my meds cost will quadruple with Medicare's plan. How can they say this is beneficial for older Americans? Everyone I speak to says it will cost them much more, unless they have health insurance to cover the cost. I don't know why we are not allowed to keep our present discounts if they benefit us financially.
I surmise the only ones benefiting are pharmaceutical companies and big business. The president and Congress call this type of treatment democracy. That is a democracy that gives you a choice to buy your medications at a higher price or a chance to buy your medications and live without the bare essentials. Or you can choose those essentials and die from lack of money to buy proper medications and health treatments. It really is a Catch-22 situation.
If you are poor in this country you must have faith in God or some higher power because if you're looking for aid from our government, don't hold your breath. You'll surely leave this Earth soon enough.
OLLA L. TATE
Youngstown