Published: October 31, 2009 01:16 pm         

Readers' forum: Nov. 1, 2009

Thanks to all who make Fowler trip exceptional



Every fall, all of the fourth-grade students in the Vigo County School Corp. take part in the Pioneer Field Trip Experience at Fowler Park. The Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department provides a phenomenal educational opportunity for our students, helping them experience the life of a pioneer. As a part of Indiana history, this field trip enriches the curriculum by allowing hands-on activities. Students, teachers, parents, and administrators always look forward to this field trip and the knowledge they gain from their participation in this program.

This valuable learning experience would not take place without the time and dedication of a number of individuals. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank Keith Ruble, Superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department; and Kara Kish, Assistant Superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department. The staff that also participates includes Robert Branch, Julie Farr, Brenda French, Jerry Julbert, Mark Kimmell, Robert Merritt, Dane Montgomery, Jimmie Pierce and Earl Slavens.

Additionally, the field trip would not be possible without the volunteers who take an active role in this field trip for five days. As the students visit each cabin in the Pioneer Village, the volunteers may play the part of a general store manager or a school marm. Students may also observe the volunteers quilting, cooking, or spinning/weaving clothing. The volunteers included Ruth Dalton, Jim Dunbar, Verna Gaskin, Theresa Lawson, Ron Oliver, Phyllis Lubbenhusen, Kathy Rogers, Evelyn Rost and John Wade.

School marms included Sandy Billing, Geri Black, Nina Couch-Corenflos, Pat Fouty, Dave Fuller, John Gettinger, Ellen Hodson, Marilyn Klug, Sharylin Knock, Jackie Lower, Duane Miller and Janie Poths.

I would also like to thank several employees of the Vigo County School Corp., which include Lin Bunch, Pam Cox, Kim Dillon and Tammy Spice.

Finally, thanks to all of our students, teachers, parents and administrators who participated in this program. I sincerely appreciate their encouragement and enthusiasm!

— Holly Pies

Curriculum Coordinator,

Vigo County School Corp.



Bigotry of sexism remains a large problem today



Consider the great females Shakespeare created, Cleopatra, Juliet, Kate, Ophelia, Lady Macbeth, Beatrice, Miranda, Cordelia, Goneril, Regan, Rosalind, Olivia, Viola, and Portia.

All were played by young boys! Girls were shut out from such pursuits and most others monopolized by men in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Male youths giving life to many of the greatest women in dramatic literature and delivering the lines of the world’s premier writer, often with all the skills of the mature male actors, was no small accomplishment. (This we know from comments contemporary with Shakespeare.)

Consider now, four centuries later, what Ghaith Abdul-Ahad has written about Afghanistan in “The Guardian” (U.K.) and reprinted in “This Week” under the title, “When Boys Are Kept As Concubines.” The ancient practice of “bacha bazi” — “boys for play” — was “banned in the l990s but it has returned in recent years. The boys are typically dressed as girls, in harem pants and scarves, and trained as dancers. Their ‘owners’ keep them ‘in a form of sexual slavery’ and trot them out to dance for guests at private parties, dinners, and even weddings. The dancers have to be boys, because Afghan patriarchal culture forbids girls and women from performing for men.”

And so it was during the peak of the English Renaissance, the great Elizabethan Age of learning and creativity that — quite ironically — came to be named after the great lady who helped to foster it.

Exceptions aside (though there were many exceptionally gifted women throughout history), we must admit that women, over the last three millennia of the Judaic-Christian era, were disallowed their “inalienable” rights. Or, let us say, three millennia minus the last few centuries when many women have been less oppressed, thanks to the Emancipation Movement that has gained some traction.

But less so for Muslim women.

Muslim scholars have suggested the culture of Islamic societies has lagged behind the West because it has not profited from the great potential of half its people.

Throughout the Muslim community, worldwide, many courageous women (at risk of life and limb) are trying to remedy the less-than-glorious traditions embedded in Sharia Law and other dehumanizing practices.

The barbarities of honor killing continue in many Islamic countries and so do genital mutilations.

From WHO (World Health Organization): “An estimated 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are currently living with the consequences of FGM. In Africa, about three million girls are at risk for FGM annually. There are 5,000 honor killings each year, mostly of Muslim women in Muslim countries. As a result of greater immigration into Western countries, such as America, Canada, and those in Europe, the killings have increased in those nations.

Abdul-Ahad further writes that the Afghan practice of “bacha bazi” is “now so widespread that it is an open part of the culture. DVDs of dancing boys are sold everywhere on the streets, aimed at the large market of men who can’t afford to keep their own ‘bachas.’ Once the boys reach age 19, their owners must release them, and they can ‘reclaim their status as male,’ although it’s often hard to overcome the stigma of having been a ‘bacha.’ Afghan authorities have done little for these abused children.”

A good example of how the violation of women’s rights violates the rights of males as well.

In a much larger context, which is to say, the bigotry of sexism throughout history, whether among Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, or others, is a tragedy that has stifled not only both genders but the march of civilization as well.

— Saul Rosenthal

Terre Haute



Staff of city’s visitor’s bureau always helpful



A letter was published in your Oct. 25 edition which offered some not-so-subtle criticism of the Terre Haute Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. We cannot speak for what might have happened when the letter writer tried to make contact, however, we can state emphatically that our experience with the bureau has been quite the opposite.

We believe we are very fortunate to have had a close working relationship with the bureau for a number of years. We have found the entire staff to be professional in their work, friendly, helpful and courteous. We are absolutely confident that they have the best interest of the Terre Haute area at heart.

They have helped in many ways to promote tourism for us and our neighbors. We have had visitors from all 50 states and contacts from more than 60 foreign nations as more people come to know Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, foundress of the Sisters of Providence.

Several members of the staff at the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau have been present to participate in programs and offer personal assistance. We hope whatever transpired between the letter writer and the bureau can be repaired because the opportunity to bring more visitors to the Wabash Valley benefits everyone.

In closing, we are remindful that the best-made plans and good intentions go awry once in a while. But we know from personal experience that the staff of the Terre Haute Convention and Visitors Bureau is a talented, devoted crew and work very hard to make many events successful for all residents to enjoy. We are deeply grateful for the bureau’s partnership with us. It has broadened our opportunities and enhanced many of our successful events.

— Sister Denise Wilkinson

General Superior

— Sister Marsha Speth

Vicar, General Officer

— Sister Marie McCarthy

General Officer

— Sister Nancy Reynolds

General Officer

— Sister Jane Marie Osterholt

General Officer

— Sister Paula Damiano

General Officer



Effort aims to keep animals warm this winter



Vigo County Animal Coalition along with Graham Feed Company and fellow animal lovers are joining forces again this year to help animals in our community have a warmer winter. We will be distributing straw for use in outdoor dog houses and cat shelters.

We are asking for a $1 minimum donation per bale. We will try to accommodate any pet owner in need, but donations received so far will allow us to give one bale per household on a “first-come-first-serve” basis while supplies last. We are trying to help those animals whose owners are struggling to provide for them.

This year’s event is scheduled for Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. only. Individuals must come inside Graham Feed Company, located at 200 Voorhees, to sign-up to receive their straw.

Volunteers and donors are invited to help! We could even use help lifting the bales.

While we feel that pets should be considered part of the family, and should be brought into the home, some will never be brought inside. So if they must stay outside, we don’t feel they should struggle through long days and nights in the freezing cold. To see a dog or cat sleeping comfortably on their new straw is truly heart warming.

Tax deductible donations can be sent to: Vigo County Animal Coalition, POB 2132, Terre Haute, IN 47802. If you would like to be a part of this special event call 232-SPAY.

— Elaine Woolley

President

Vigo County Animal Coalition



Komen race raises $30K in cancer fight



On Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, the Wabash Valley hosted the 13th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College. A special thank you goes out to all of the sponsors, volunteers, committee members and participants who made the day a victory.

More than $30,000 has been raised and donations are still arriving. The Wabash Valley Race for the Cure is successful because of the support of this great community. Your dedication and generosity to this event was overwhelming.

Just days after the 2009 Race, our organization lost one of our own to breast cancer. Each year this event hits close to home for many people, which makes this more than just a fundraiser. We see more survivors every year and that tells us we are doing something right. On behalf of all the survivors that are winning the fight and those that have lost the battle, I thank you.

We will continue to raise awareness and work for a cure until we have fulfilled our mission of a world without breast cancer. Until then, we ask that you reserve, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Wabash Valley.

For education and breast health information, you can contact us on the Web at www.komenwabashval

ley.org, or visit us at our new location in Meadows Shopping Center year round.

This one’s for you.

— Rachel-Theresa Goodwin,

Race for the Cure,

Wabash Valley Affiliate



Name new park to honor vets



If the City of Terre Haute wants a nice park at Fifth Street and Maple Avenue across from Ouabache Elementary School, I would suggest that it be named “Veterans Park” to honor all local veterans of all wars, past, present and future.

At this site is a body of water, land and open air, and our wonderful veterans have served and sacrificed on land, air and sea from the beginning of our country.

Third Street was dedicated as “Veterans Memorial Expressway” and Veterans Park would be a natural, where generations could enjoy the things our veterans paid such a dear price to leave us. Perhaps a tree, shelter, landscape, pier, overlook or just engraved stones on a walk path could tell the story of local veterans from the first skirmish at Fort Harrison in 1811 to the gallant souls who serve today.

Politicians and bureaucratic hobby interests come and go. Our veterans, and the heritage they leave behind, should be honored and memorialized.

Come on City Council and Mayor Bennett, how about having a Veterans Day 2009 dedication of Veterans Park in Terre Haute?

— Bill McClain

Terre Haute