The word community cannot be spelled without using the word unity. It’s probably no coincidence. If you research the word you discover the word “community” is derived from the Old French communité which is derived from the Latin communitas (cum, “with/together” + munus, “gift”), a broad term for fellowship or organized society. Examples of community service would include tutoring, hospitals, etc.
The term community usually refers to a social unit sharing common values. A community is a group or society, helping each other. Often these communities share a similar mind set which creates a degree of cohesiveness. It’s easy to see such behavior differences when visiting other communities. Some communities are very social, inviting and ingratiating, while others may make you feel like you stepped into the “Twilight Zone”. It’s really not the people it’s their culture. People are basically good, or are the basically bad? That’s an age old question and it can only be answered by one’s opinion, with proof enough to support both sides.
With the recent effects of Hurricane Sandy one has to envision what it would be like if the Village of Versailles experienced devastation like New York and New Jersey. We hope we would be taking care of each other; those who have would help those you have not. I believe our focus would shortsighted—focusing on our family’s imminent safety and not on our next family vacation. Even though our lives are not perfect, we never have to look very far to see lives that we would not trade ours for. We offer money, food, clothing, and prayers to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. But we should be thankful for what we have and remember not to take life to seriously. Life is short, too short to worrying about the small stuff. And as the saying goes…its all small stuff. Saturday evening Orville Bohman will host “Scaryaoke” karaoke at the Vet’s Club Bunker starting around 8:30 pm. Costumes are encouraged and there will be Halloween themed food and games. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour at 2:00 am this Sunday. After your extra hour of sleep you can catch breakfast Sunday morning at the St. Denis Church basement. The Lions Club will be serving pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee and juice. Then consider the Chicken Fry at the Vet’s Club from 4:00 – 6:00 pm for your evening meal.
Tuesday, November 6th, the Versailles Christian Church Women’s Fellowship will be sponsoring an “Election Supper and Bake Sale” from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. They are located at 105 West Ward St, Versailles. I’ve attended this before and it’s great, the menu includes homemade soups, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and coney dogs and a large selection of homemade pies. For more information you can call 526-4194 or 526-9220. Wednesday, November 14th St. Denis Catholic Church will be hosting a Parish Café in their basement from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. This is open to the entire community. Speakers Justine Raterman, Jackie Stonebraker and their parents Jim and Karen Raterman will be talking about how to balance faith, family and sports. For many, this is a sensitive issue. Please invite your friends and make plans to enjoy an hour of imported coffee, decaf coffee, tea and cold drinks as well as cookies and pretzels and chips.
Thursday, November 15th the Vet’s Club will be hosting a Bid Euchre tournament starting at 8:00 pm. This should be a fun night out for men and women who enjoy playing cards. Make plans to attend. For more information contact “Card Czar” Ralph Kunk at 526-3358.
Congratulations to Brooke Robinson and Darin Subler for being recognized as 2012 National Merit Scholar Commended Students and to Alex Cordonnier for being recognized as a National Semi-Finalist. Congratulations to golfers Brooke Wehrkamp, Elizabeth White and Danielle Cochran for being named 1st Team All-MAC and to Emily Harman, Katie Heckman and Hannah Niekamp for receiving All-MAC Honorable Mention. Also congratulations to the girls golf coaches Vicky Olwine and Brittany Harman for an outstanding season, finishing at the State Tournament for the first time.
Congratulations to the VHS band’s seniors who completed their high school band career. These seniors are Adam Kemper, Jenny Neiberg, Laura Paulus, Samuel Prakel Brooke Robinson and Allyson Grilliot. Thanks to band director Kevin Taylor for another great season.
Congratulations to Pat Custenborder and Julie Strait who recently accepted positions on the Greenville Federal Bank Board of Directors. Healing prayers and get well wishes to Red Kremer, Jerry Paulus, Elsje Rodenburg, Brooke Leach, Jerry Stammen, Ann George Wehrley, Alice Broering, Cecilia Subler, Rusty Whittaker, Donna Francis, Tom Henry, Sandy DeLaet, Betty Schlarman, , Denny Petitjean, Tony Monnin, John Magoto and all those in need that are not mentioned by name but in need of prayers. Hello to Anne Eiting Klamar, Angie and Jeff Francis, Bonnie Frantz, Jackie Grillot, Barb and Jon Agne, Alva Grillot, Kathy and George Subler, and Dan Drees. Happy Birthday wishes to Winnie Bulcher, Meagan Winner, Brooklyn Nawroth, T.J. Suter, Renee Dircksen, Danielle Keiser, Mary Francis, Mercedes Fellers, Raquel Bulcher, Kim Saulnier, Louie Huber, Tom Magoto, Melissa Stewart, Rose Whittaker, Doug Schmitmeyer, and Mark Barga. Happy anniversary wishes to Janet and Don Pothast (20) and Cindy and Tom Schulze.
My heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of Frances Williams, Ruth Brown, Norman Redman, and Joe Winhoven, also remembering the lives of Lloyd “Barney “ Barnhardt, Vicki Kindred, Marie Meinerding, Amanda and Abigail Wells, Nancy Heitkamp and Paul Barga as the anniversary of their departure from this world approaches.
“United we stand; divided we fall.” ~Aesop
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” ~Helen Keller
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” ~Henry Ford
Kathy Magoto is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves Daily Advocate readers weekly with her weekly Versailles community column. She can be reached at magmon1@embarqmail.com or at 526-3798. Feel free to contact her with Versailles news and tidbits. Viewpoints expressed in these opinion pieces are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.