p> Page 6B The Castlegar Sun Wednesday, September 23, 1992 Alcohol - Is It Really Worth It? + Dear Ana Landers: Your col- umn about sons who visit their mothers too much hit close to home. 4 am 84 years old and have had 12 japhildren. Two died at birth, ahd trag- ‘yjdeally, three have died within the ;~ past 10 years. I was lucky enough to have had eight boys and two girls. | was Mnlucky enough to be married to: an alcoholic. I tried to raise all my chil- dren to show respect but since I raised them alone while working two jobs, I guess I didn't do as well as I thought. All the boys were close to me until they got married. I have never jinterfered in their lives but they have _ Stopped coming over for holiday ‘Winners. They visit to their wives’ mothers instead. : I have not seen two of my sons in | aver 10 years, except for the time ! “they came to see me in the intensive care unit when I had a heart attack a year ago. I don't remember their visit at all, and I haven't seen them since. Thank you for being a special part of my life, Ann. When I feel sad, I read your column. It lets me know others are in worse shape, than I ain. — Fayeneville, N.C Dear N.C.: If I read your letter correctly, you still have seven living children. Some of them must read this column. I'd be interested in the back end of this story, if there is one Why would seven children ignore an (84-year-old mother who struggled so - hard to raise them? Does anyone care to comment? tic Dear Ann Landers: Your advice to "Stunned in Detroit,” about a gift- ed child who taught himself to read, was right on the money. If the same advice had been given to my parents 30 years ago, it may have saved me I started reading spontaneously when I was 2. I was not considered “extraordinary,” but something of a freak. I was under-challenged in school and ridiculed by my class- mates. I became withdrawn and unable to form friendships. Even ; though I was clearly the brightest Student in my class and my grades , -were excellent, I had no social life A few perceptive teachers tried to | help me: After their evaluations, my \ mother was informed that I was | extremely gifted and would benefit from a special course of education. NOW 9:00 am to 5 pm We Need: Vohuteers Clothing Odds & Ends She refused, saying it was more important that I learn to fit in with everybody élse After 12 horrendous years in school, I graduated -- only to find that I would not be going to college My family decided I didn't need it that I was educated enough. I am now 32, and I have no Ann Landers Syndicated Columnist friends and no social life. I am lone- ly and bitter. My family still has a repertoire of funny stories about all the weird things I did and said as a ‘child, and they tell them every time we get together. Meanwhile, I have watched two younger sisters and a brother go to college with my moth. er's blessing. Two of them didn't last a year My 2-year-old daughter is show- ing signs of being even more gifted than I was at Mer age. You can be sure that she will receive the love, attention and encouragement that she deserves. -- Cheated in Frank- fon, I Dear Cheated: Apparently you found someone to marry, so you are more capable of relating to others than you think. I urge you to get counseling and take night-school classes. With your extraordinary brilliance, you can be a college graduate in half the time and perhaps go into law, teaching or some other specialty. I wish you luck in overcoming your central problem, which is low self-esteem. Dear Ann Landers: You've printed a lot of comments lately about college kids who drink too much. Are there more campus alcg-, holics than there used to be? You bet there are, but it starts long before they get to college I've been sober for many years with the help of Alcoholics Anony- mous. The faces coming through A.A.'s doors these days get ydunger and younger. The kids are very sick by the time they reatfi us and often in trouble with the law. The Interna- ¢.¢ OPEN IN CASTLEGAR /w RS SALVATIONARMY Thrift Store and Family Services VALVATIOW, OPEN at 1100 - 3rd St., Castlegar (Downtown) 365-0212 Tuesday - Saturday Food Non-Perishable C ) Bank {canned or Needs: frozen) items BRING IN OR CALL FOR PICKUP - 365-0212 tional Conference of Young People in A.A. now holds its own huge con- ventions, and the stories told there, some by kids barely into junior high, would break your heart. One 14-year-old told me that in a survey of her high school, more than 50 percent of the students said they'd had six or mote drinks on one occa- sion at least once in the preceding week. Nearly 80 percent said they usually drink three or more times a week. Even allowing for bravado, that's a staggering statistic, College-alcohol abuse is epidem- ic, espectally in off-campus housing. I've just moved a couple of miles farther from the University of Louisville to get away from the van- dalism and screaming 5 a.m. parties. If something isn't done to stop this trend, I don't know where it's going to end. -- Sour Mashed in Louisville Dear Sour Mashed: Here's anoth- er point of view. Dear Ann Landers: This is in response to your Penn State writer who said alcohol abuse on campus is worse than ever. Please tell him to calm down. I graduated from an engineering college in Chicago and lived on Rush Street. We tried to drink all the beer in town, and at times I thought we did. Our fraternity had plaques on the wall attesting to drinking feats, and it wasn't uncommon to attend late afternoon classes drunk. It's now 25 years later, and among my fraternity brothers and college friends there are corporate presi- dents, vice presidents, directors, etc., and not one of these men has had his life, job or family ruined by alco- holism. The first years of college are bound to produce party animals, but with job responsibility and family obligations come maturity and sobri- ety. So tell your Penn State writer to let the kids have their fun because it will end much too quickly. -- A For- mer Party Animal Dear Animal: According to a recent study done by Harvard Uni- versity researchers, drinking on cam- pus is at an all-time high. The Journal of the American Medical Association published the results of a survey of students at Mas- sachusetts campuses in 1989, and the findings are similar to recent’ nationwide data. The survey shows that a higher percentage of college students got drunk in the late 1980s than a dozen years before, with the most dramatic increases among women. What's worse, both sexes increas- ingly drink just to get drunk. In 1977, only 20 percent of the men and 10 percent of the women said they drank "just to get drunk.” In the 1989 survey, 40 percent of the men Puppy Surprise 546” Baby Loves to Talk 569° 9 Says over 250 phrases Remote Control Vehicles Nerf Slingshot 9127 «29% 20 $47 1128 - 3rd St. All Summer Toys up to : §0% = 70% ot FS PHARMASAVE (Downtown) Castlegar 365-7813 and 34 percent of the women said the same thing. Half of the men and a third of the women report having consumed five or more drinks in a row on at least one occasion in the Past two weeks, according to the researchers, It is becoming abundantly clear that alcohol is the most dangerous drug of all. And it's legal. Prohibi- tion is not the answer. We tried it and it was an abysmal failure, We must educate our children, Starting in grade school, about the damage done by drinking, and it wouldn't hurt if parents set a better example Dear Ann Landers: This is in response to your column about the mock robbery at the bank in McPherson, Kan. I know firsthand the trauma those people went through from a similar and equally disturbing experience in my former church. Imagine the horror of sitting in a place of worship and after the offer- ing is collected, three men in dark clothing and ski masks burst in and announce to a stunned assemblage, "This is a robbery. Don't anybody moye!" After demanding the money from the deacons, they left, taking the pastor's teen-age daughter along as a “hostage.” Since our city has made national headlines in recent times for gang violence and a horrible schoolyard shooting, this scene was all too believable. Only a few individuals knew it was a staged event. After the "robbers" departed, the pastor broke the news to his petrified congregation that he had staged the whole thing to illustrate how people who do not give 10 percent of their income to the church are robbing God as surely as the bandits they had just witnessed. The next week, I returned to the church, hoping the pastor had recog- nized his blunder and would deliver an apology. Instead, he atempted to excuse that outrageous performance by saying he was sorry so many peo- ple had been frightened, but he wanted to do something dramatic to “get his point across.” Any thoughts on this, Ann? -- Found a Better Church in Stockton, Calif, Dear Stockton: I'm not sure that you needed to find a "better church” but one thing is certain. That church needs to find a clergyman with bet- ter judgment. The scenario you described is absolutely appalling. Dear Ann Landers: What does the mother of a 1 9-year-old girl do when her daughter's boyfriend is physically and mentally abusing her? I've tried five different therapists for "Suzy," to no avail. She says she loves "Ricky," who comes from a broken home with parents and step- parents who couldn't care less about him. He is a habitual liar and has turned my daughter into a liar, too. Ricky has been in trouble with the law, is on probation and now has an ' assault charge against him. Suzy has refused to press charges for all the things he has done to her, including taking her car without permission and wrecking it. He recently dropped out of high school and we've heard that he sells drugs as well as takes them himself. My life has been a nightmare ever since Suzy met this guy. Every time they go out together, I'm afraid that this is the night he's going to kill her. He has beaten her up and tried to choke her several times. Please, Ann, give me some advice on how I can make Suzy understand what she is doing to her life. She has no friends anymore. Ricky has made sure that he's the only, person she sees. I have called several hot lines and although they offer help for ME, I can't get Suzy to break away from this person who is ruining her life. Any suggestions? -- J.L., Long Island Dear J.L.: I feel your agony and wish I could help, but unfortunately, there is no way you can break up this twosome. In fact, the harder you try, the more Suzy is going to cling to him. Get off the subject. Just let Suzy know that you love her and are standing by to pick up the pieces. Silver Rattle Antiques 301-11 Ave. Castlegar, (in Tulips Building) 365-5191 Here are some ideas for lunches that work for back to school children (and you too!) Fast-paced, exciting, and sometimes frenzied. This is the life-style of the 90's. If you're caught up in it — at home or at the workplace — you're probably in search of| fast yet healthful and different ideas for your children's back-to-school lunches. Well, packing lunch can be a real vi (Mom The Hen Party inflation fighter and lots of fun too. The lunch should be appetizing, varied and attrac- tive. Everyone enjoys a lunch that looks good and taste good. No one ever needs to be bored with a packed lunch — a little imagination, a little planning and you'll have the winning combination every time. Here's a treasury of lunch suggestions your children will enjoy. KINDS OF BREAD Buy several varieties, freeze them, and vary them every day. Try whole wheat, rye raisin-nut, com bread, pita pock- ets, sandwich buns or rolls, bread sticks, crackers, veggie bread, or any other kind. FOR SANDWICH COMBOS, START WITH: Cold roast, ham, meat loaf, bologna, comed beef, sliced luncheon meats Salmon, sardines, tune, other types of fish, fresh or canned Eggs, hard cooked ot scrambled Cheese - cheddar, cottage, process or cream, sliced, mashed, or grated Chicken Peanut butter Baked beans GREAT ADDITIONS TO CHILDREN’S LUNCH BOXES * Cooked chicken cutlets, cut in strips, or drumsticks + Cupcakes with surprise filling (jam, marshmallow, choco late chips). Eliminates messy frostings Pack fruit leathers, shelled sunflower or pumpkin seeds, cheese-flavoured or graham crackers spread with peanut butter, dried fruits, nuts, granola bars, crisp fresh vegeta bles, fresh fruits and cheese for snack foods or desserts * Make jello and fruit right in a small thermos container ++ And of course cookies are an essential part of any lunch. The following recipe is simple, yet so very delicious! One Hen husband ate eight cookies just warm form the oven! BEST EVER PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Ingredients 1 cup (250 ml) butter or margarine 1 cup (250 ml) brown sugar 1 cup (250 ml) white sugar 2 eggs 1 cup (250 ml) paunut butter 3 cups (750 ml) flour 2 tsp (10 ml) baking soda 1 tsp (S ml) vanilla 1 cup (250 ml) chocolate chips 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) salt Method 1. Cream margarine, sugar and vanilla 2. Add beaten eggs, then peanut butter. Mix well 3. Add flour, baking soda and chocolate chips. Mix well 4. Roll in medium sized balls, flatten with fork and bake at 350 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes. DO NOT OVER BAKE. ++ Double this recipe and if there are any left, freeze them. CKING TIPS Save plastic containers from cottage cheese or yoghurt for salads and other moist foods. Clean spice jars or leak-proof pill containers are good for salad dressing, catchup or mustard To avoid moming rush, pack lunch boxes the night before and refrigerate, omitting hot or frozen food (add the next morning) Freeze small cans of fruit or vegetable juice. Pack them with lunch and they’ll keep other foods cold and will thaw and still be cold by lunchtime. Make big batches of sandwiches ahead assembly-line fashion and freeze, enough for one week’s lunches. For non soggy sandwiches, spread softened butter or mar garine evenly to the edge of each bread slice. Good fill ings are meat, poultry, sliced cheese, cheese spreads, tuna and salmon salads, peanut butter and egg yolk mixtures. Pack frozen in lunch box — good especially during hot weather. Set aside areas in refrigerator, freezer and cupboards for lunchbox foods so family members can quickly pick and pack their own lunches. Small wide-mouth thermos jars are worthwhile invest ments for using up main-dish leftovers (chili, soups, Stews, Casseroles, etc.) ++ Clip this and hand on your fridge for quick réfere: TO GIVE ZIP, ADD: Salad dressing, mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, chopped celery, chopped pickles, chutney, mustard Salad dressing, lemon juice, ketchup, canned canned mushroom soup, chopped hard cooked egg, parsley, celery, chives, chopped pickles, cucumber or green pepper Mayonnaise, salad dressing, chopped olives, chives, crisp chopped bacon, chopped ham or lettuce, or even a dash of curry green pepper, parsley, chives, chopped lettuce, chopped nuts, chopped dried fruit, jam or chopped fruit with cream cheese, or crisp bacon, chopped cucumber Salad dressing, mayonnaise, green onions, chopped celery, mustard, curry powder, lemon juice Banana, chopped dried fruit, grated carrot, chopped celery, crisp bacon Ketchup, chili sauce, bacon, mayonnaise Tell your friends about the Sun, they'll love you for it! \ Wednesday, September 23, 1992 n ¢ w $ current compilation of the most iar things people do, edited by Chuck Shepherd. Proof that true stories are weirder than made-up stories. -- Billy Milligan, 37, was recently hired to direct a $3 million film base on’ the life bf a serial rapist who plagued Columbus, Ohio, in the late 1970s and who is now in prison. Milligan has never directed before. His only qualifica- tions for the job are that he was a serial rapist himself in the 1970s and was on hand when Hollywood director James Cameron shot Milli- gan's own life story, "The Crowded Room.” (Milligan was found not guilty by reason of insanity and served 10 years in mental institu- tions until his 20 multiple person- alities "integrated" into one.) -- In April, Velma ann Wantlin, 28, was given a citation by police in Houma, La., for improper use of the 911 line after she called to report-that her husband was pre- venting her from watching the sea- son finale of, "Knots Landing.” -- On May 15, Laguna Beach, Calif., policeman Jon "Crash" Fehlman was injured again on the job -- tris time suffering a broken leg when a motorist hit his parked patrol car while he was alongside frisking a suspect. Since "Crash" joined the force in 1985, he has been driven into by colleagues in a chase exercise; suffered bruised heels chasing a prowler; been hit by a ricocheting bullet during tar- get practice; been rear-ended by a truck; had his patrol car door slam on his knee (breaking the leg in two places); and been disabled The Castlegar Sun ARIES - March 21/April 20 This is going to be a rather difficult week for dealing with other people Try to control your temper and keep opinions to yourself — especially when dealing with Scorpios. An official matter will negd settling, and this may mean going through miles of red tape! TAURUS - April 21/May 21 If you are in the mood for a shop. ping spree this week, it will be a good time to find bargains. Great things are going to happen, as long as you act positively and lay the groundwork. A family member (or very close friend) may want to come and visit you for a few days. GEMINI - May 22/June 21 You are going to have to make at least one rather important decision this week — and probably even more. Travel by train or car will be necessary, and a meeting (an excep. tionally enjoyable one!) with old friends is likely. A fun time lies ahead, so start preparing now. CANCER - June 22/July 22 Looks like you are in for a busy time this week. Suddenly you'll find that you have to rush off somewhere at very short notice, but the results will be worthwhile. If you have a pet, you may find that it needs extra care now; don’t put off arranging an appointment with a vet, if things look a bit out of the ordinary, LEO - July 23/August 23 Re-examine your ideas and opinions. Both may need changing now. because both appear to be somewhat off balance. Find out what views friends and colleagues hold. A good week for single Leos, there could be a new romance, or possibly an engagement. VIRGO — Aug 24/Sept 22 You now can take care of the little things that you had to set aside recently. That will satisfy your Virgo need for order! Clear off all out standing paperwork and round off details in business matters. If you are thinking about moving, this might be an ideal time to make such a shift LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 You may start the week worried about work, but you'll end up with your mind at peace, because things will “fall into place.” Some sort of Promotion seems likely, and there may be an increase of wages to go along with the extra responsibili- ties. This is a good time for new adventures, including romance and travel HOROSCOPES Sept 20-26 SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 Even if you planned to spend this weekend quietly at home with your family and close friends, you may suddenly find that you're in the mood for something vastly different perhaps after receiving a tele phone call from an unusually excit ing individual SAGITTARIUS — Nov 23/Dec 21 Beneficial changes improve finan cial prospects. Plans for future activities will be under much dis- cussion. Important plans, in all areas of your life, can — and should — be accomplished this week. An unex- pected letter will bring joy. CAPRICORN — Dec 22/Jan 20 The execution of plans prove to be much easier than expected, A career opportunity is very tempting, but make sure you know what you're getting yourself into before making any drastic changes. Get in contact with close friends and ask their advice on this matter. AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 You might feel that you have an unusual measure of freedom now, but don't let your new efferves- cence blind you to essential safety measures. The; self-confidence you feel may help you put up with some inconveniences around midweek. You might be in dine for a small loss, so make sure that you take appropriate steps to protect your best interests PISCES -— Feb 19/March 20' This week could be a most Page 7B Calvin ana Hobbes SEE, TWE PROBLEM WITH FINE ART (S THAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO EXPRESS \ ORIGINAL TRUTHS, wT BUT POPULAR ART KNOWS THE CUSTOMER 1S ALWAYS. RIGHT! PEOPLE WANT MORE OF WHAT THEN ALREADY KNOW THEY LIKE, SO POPULAR ART GIVES IT To 'EM/| h— BUT WHO LIKES ORIGINALITY AND TRUTH ?” NOBODY’ LIFES, HARD ENOUGH WITHOUT IT’ ONLY AN IDIOT WOULD Fay F | by Bill Watterson [WERE T MADE |) WHOS GOING To ATIGER. | BUY SOMETHING CEE CALVIN, T THINK THIS time when everything should go right for you, seemingly without effort. If your health has not been as good as you might like, you should notice some definite improvement Domestically, there could be time for you to take stock of your prefer ences and to start planning for some redecorating. YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK The next 12 months: This year will be a very good one A change of job or relocation to a new city is very likely. This may Cause some stress at first, but in the end it will prove to be very reward- ing. A more routine type of lifestyle will take up the winter months Extra income will enable you to save for an exciting trip this spring, and towards summer you may con- sider investing in real estate. You will meet many new people and acquire some important business contacts that could affect your future positively Canadian Quiz-Cross by Maureen Azimov s le 7 with poison oak, smoke inhal and wrenched knees and elbows. -- Shawn O'Neill, 42, was arrested in Escondido, Calif., in March and charged with robbing Hussar's Jewelers. He had already been convicted of robbing it twice in January and was awaiting sen- tencing -- Jenny Soukup, 17, was charged with conspiracy to assist in a drive-by shooting in Russell, Kan., in February. Several hours later, out on bail, she was crowned winter sports queen at Russell High School as a result of a vote taken before the shooting incident. -- In July, New Orleans police arrested Donald Simmons, 53, and Cheryl Collins, 38, for breaking into parking meters, after videotap- ing the couple's crime. The police said the two would walk along a Street and passionately embrace every few yards but that was a ruse. In reality, there was a parking meter between them, and Simmons would open it with a key and slip the money to Collins, who would put it into a bag under her skin -- all in about 12 seconds’ time. A police officer said Simmons admit- ted to having practiced the scheme since 1985 1480 COLUMBIA AVE. CASTLEGAR, B.C. VIN 3K (604) 365.7616 Res 365-3253 BABY BLUES [WS SuBTLe! WS BORING? ITS INCOMPREHENSIBLE / ra \ eal You LIKE \\ > \S GOOD WHERES THE | | MARKETARILITY ? HOW WILL THIS EVER APPEAL W THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR 27 IT'S COMPLETELY UNADAPTABLE Wo ME eee WW ANS / \ EWW, YOU STITCHED THEIR ( Wok 206 no‘ no! ST WAS TAPING gram Comat re WT?” Is iret AESTHETIC THINGRS l’, ALOT RICHER THAN YOU by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott NI Vac \) ~D eS qhrs FAVORITE “Let's Torment Daddy" GOODNESS GRACIOUS! YOU WERE THIRSTY, WERENT You? |_HI, MOM. LISTEN, You KNow | THAT ANTIQUE GRAVY BOAT THAT BELONGED To YOUR GREAT AUNT HILDA. BROKE, IME V h— 4. t OH, (7,— 3.N0o6o! & a4 YEA\ HIT JUST In’ iReePLaceasres C, ITS PRICELES! IT WAS MY ONLY LINK TO MY GREAT AUNT HILDA st 53 s4 , ACROSS 1. Imitatation laughter sound 54. 55. DOWN . Soilder Pierre le Moyne ‘Skimpy . Trump . AKA habitant West central river Adenosine nucleotide Biologist Fi bi Belgian cont. nope et SEPM OEY py 29. Site of a recent stand-off A pituitary hormone thor abbr. , . Elect. power unit Laurier entered this . Uncommon 51. Absent without leave Maximal abbr. Loose head covering Kirghizia mountain P ange Fleshy stemmed plant Oll providing fruit rancesco Alter eleventh German brewed beer Media baron ~ Minerva Tarbell: Earns with great effort LOOK FOR THE ANSWERS to the CROSSWORD CASTLEGAR SHOPPER Coming out this Saturday t Nova Scotia lake |. Smailest unit of matter Plant part Czech coins —— Horizonte: Brazil Officer first in command Female prophets Conrad -— League abbr. Mississippi bounded state An Indic language Stir up sediment 44. Smail winged insect Elec. current unit in our AS LONG AS NOBODY IN IT DIES OR GETS SHOT, AND NO CHILDREN OR ANIMALS mh. GET HURT... ‘ALSO, NO BAD LANGUAGE OR CAR CHASES OR SEX OR ROBOTS OR GHOSTS OR 4 | PEOPLE WHO WASTE FOOD! THAT’S WHAT YOU CALL A NEAR- DEBT L EXPERIENCE.