By Kathy Magoto
VERSAILLES NEWS
In 2012 President Obama took a hard hit for his speech in which he said business owners didn’t become successful on their own. It seemed he was trying to create a new slogan for a bumper sticker saying “If you own a business thank your government.” I can’t really fault him over the years we’ve all seen the bumper stickers that read “If you ate today thank a farmer,” “If you can read this thank a teacher, if it’s in English thank a veteran.”
Obama’s right in saying none of us made it on our own. We have all been given different talents and we are each called to use our various talents for the benefit of others. In our free trade system most of us earn a living from our labor or knowledge, but we must thank our parents, and forefathers for what we enjoy today. Had our forefathers not sought their freedom there would not be this relatively young republic of the United States of America. And since more than 80 percent of the country considers them selves Christian we know all praise, honor and glory goes to our creator, the giver of Life and all that is good. Therefore we should see the war hero as only a shadow of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for all mankind.
I imagine God reading one of these bumper stickers and reacting much the way we did when Al Gore announced he invented the internet. Can we be so arrogant as to think any of the gifts and blessings we possess is of our own making? Only by His grace are we bestowed with all that we possess. Remember “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” Therefore, as we age our strength and quickness fails us leaving us with only our memories, which for many of us, will also fade.
I realize the self-promoting slogans on bumper stickers were innocently meant to raise public awareness of occupations that felt unappreciated or undervalued. I also think it worked. Everyone is more sensitive to the military, teachers, and farmers. I simply think now is the time to raise public awareness of the fundamental truths of Christianity and the reverence of the family. Is there a publicist willing to tackle the vocation of parenting and sanctity of human life?
Upcoming events:
Tonight is the final day of the Right to Life Community Sale at Versailles K of C Hall which ends at 7 p.m. tonight.
Mark your calendar to attend a benefit “Sneak Peak” of the Fall Classes at the Greenville YMCA this Monday at 6:30 p.m. There will be 10 to 15 minutes of each class to try. The classes are appropriate for men and women of all fitness levels, ages 14 and up. The cost is $7 for seven classes featuring: POUND, Raise the Barre Toning, REFIT®, Tabata Circuit Training, Boot Camp, Lunch Crunch, and Yoga/Stretching for beginners.
The Great Darke County Fair begins Friday, Aug. 21.
The FareFest will be held from 2 – 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 22.
Members of the Versailles Rotary Club have tickets for their upcoming BBQ chicken dinner for sale. Presale tickets can be purchased at Phelan Insurance, Books by the Bushel or any rotary member. The carryout dinner can be picked up at the old fire station from 3:30 – 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28.
Birthday wishes to Jeanette Barga, Bob Hartzell, Nathan Hayes, Warren Hartzell, John Rimmer, Shirley Derr, Storm Davis, Lacey Lewis, Kristen Collins, Dane Nagel, Laura Beireis, Barb Berger, Mary Jo Deal, Cheryl Huelskamp, Barb Siegel, Cheryl Magoto, Cindy Miller, Lois Knapke, Kelly Francis, Stacy Dirksen, Erin Rismiller, Chris Kemper, Ryland Breeding, Megan Wuebker, Dave Huelskamp, Lisa Voisard, Pete Magoto, Jenni Johns, and Dan Bensman as their birthdays approach as well as, anniversary wishes to Erica and Bob Menke (1), Audra and Mitch Wietholter (12), Diane and Mike Magoteaux (18), Kim and Pat Custenborder (20), Amy and Robert Kozak, Melanie and Jim Huffman (27), Karen and Jim Kelch (36), Jann and Mike Unger, Jennie and Ted Baltes (41), (40), Shirley and Ron Derr (48), Shirley and John Huddle (50), Collette and Lester Kueterman (53), and Kay and Dave Holfinger (56).
Healing prayers and get well wishes to Karen Coverstone, Rita Wuebker, John Magoto, Terry Black, Bill Pepiot, Denny Ahrens, Yvonne Ridenour, Mary Wehneman, Wayne Pittsenbarger, John Klipstine, Maggie Brewer, Arthur Curtis, Harold Langston, Sr., Jack Munn, Thelma Schultz, Delores Williams, Joe Bailey, James Youngker, Madeline Rickett, Kathy and Tom Hamilton, Andrew Kunk, Michelle Ullom, Kyle Rutschilling, Isabella Yakos, Lisa Coate, Brian Voisard Barb and Jon Agne, Samantha Smith and all those dealing with life’s challenges, as well the hospitalized or homebound in need of our prayers but not mentioned by name.
Remembering the lives of Pat Hiatt, Bud Wirrig, Eleanora Zumwald, Alice Kissinger, Hoppy Schrader, Butch George, David Armstrong, Edith Richhart, LuEmma Horine, Ruth and Harold Knapke, Jan Francis, Jeff Moorman, Mary Hartzell, Joan Selzer, Dale Gariety, John Voisard, Wilma Francis, George Wooley, George Mangen, Maria Dircksen, Esther Pitsenbarger, Lawrence Grewe, Velma Billiter and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing.
“You can’t believe everything you read…even bumper stickers!” ~C. Edwards
“Publicity and advertising is artistic manipulation.” ~C. Edwards
“If a man loses his reverence for any part of life, he will lose his reference for all of life.” ~Albert Schweitzer
Kathy Magoto is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves The Daily Advocate readers weekly with her weekly Versailles community column. She can be reached at [email protected] or at 526-3798. Feel free to contact her with Versailles news and tidbits. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.
