Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 5

Decatur, Illinois Tuesday, August 1 7, 1 993 as Commentary FALLSTROM Spreading love, hope in Russia Omar Cripe's creations preserved in Cerro Gordo J4 jnhu fj xJ 2pAf. kf IZKf" vAVPCi By JOANNE MORRIS COLVER For the Herald Review CERRO GORDO A stately stone creature one of a kind has been standing 59 years in Cerro Gordo. My grandfather, Omar E. Cripe, as unique as his creation, left his family a treasured and tangible legacy an elephant when he died Aug. 5, 1972, at the age of 84.

Carol and Lee Olson have preserved the elephant and rock furniture made by Cripe. When the Olsons purchased my grandparents' home, the stone creations were on a separate lot. Lee Olson purchased that lot, too, as a birthday present for Carol Olson. At the age of 90, Nettie Cripe, my grandmother, described how the stone structures became a reality. "Grandpa," she said, "would take his two young daughters to help him gather stones in a little homemade wagon.

The girls would pull the wagon home for him after the proper rock selections were made." Then Grandma would help him mix up the concrete. When asked if she enjoyed doing this, she replied: "I loved to help him do it because I knew UNIQUE: This stone elephant in Cerro Gordo was crafted by, the late Omar Cripe in the 1930s Richland registration DECATUR Registration for classes at Richland Community College continues 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today. Classes begin Aug.

23. Fitness and aerobics courses are not listed in the fall schedule, but listings may be obtained by calling 875-7211, ext. 267. Another five-week Aiki Jutjutsu class will be offered 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Aug.

31. Registration costs $25. The deadline is Thursday, Aug. 26. Graduate studies DECATUR There will be an informational open house from 5 to 7 p.m.

today in the student lounge, Richards Treat Center, Millikin University, for students interested in the Graduate Studies Center. Representatives from Eastern Ulinois University, Illinois State University, Sangamon State University and the University of Illinois will be available to answer questions. Coed tumbling DECATUR The Decatur YMCA will offer coed power tumbling begn-ning in September. Team tryouts are being held through Monday, Aug. 30.

Children ages 3 and up will compete based on age group and ability. An appointment is necessary. Call 428-6606. St. Anthony auxiliary EFFINGHAM St.

Anthony's Memorial Hospital will hold an orientation for new and current members of its auxiliary 9 a.m. Thursday. The orientation will include general information, fire safety, infection control and a hospital tour. Volunteers may request specific areas or tasks and may work as much or as little as desired. To apply, call 347-1436.

Food safety workshop MONTI CELLO The Piatt County Extension Unit will offer a free workshop on food safety for bake sales and community dinners 1 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 427 W. Marion, Monticello. The workshop includes an update on food safety laws, safe food practices and which foods may not be sold to the public.

Registration deadline is Friday, Aug. 27. Call 762-2191. Volunteers needed TAYLORVILLE The CEFS Literacy Program needs volunteers to tutor adults who have reading problems. Volunteers are asked to attend a two-day training workshop and have 2 to 3 hours a week available.

Call Carol Childers, 824-4712. Financial workshop SPRINGFIELD Memorial Medical Center will hold a workshop series for women, "Taking Charge of Your Financial Health," 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Sept. 1 in rooms G10 and G10A.

Registration fee is $30 and includes all four workshops and materials. Call 788-4700. Park, DECATUR One week to Jean Williams of Decatur is on a four-week mission in Russia with New Life Ministries Inc. The trip started July 25 and ends Aug. 24.

She's with a team of seven people traveling in the Crimea. "We minister to children with musical theater, telling about God's love, hope and salvation, spending four days in a particular location," she said. "We are in two places each day, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. "A lot of the time we're in Eypatoria. There are 23 children's sanitoriums there, hospitals where children live.

"After we leave, a follow-up team comes in and spends eight days with the kids, teaching Bible lessons, forming friendships. Both teams have worship songs, Bibles and lessons in Russian." Before heading for Russia, Jean completed her first musical tour with New Life Ministries, based in Cary, N.C. She joined the organization in May. "I think I have found my calling," she said then. She tells about her first tour: "We did 23 performances in four weeks.

We had the honor of praying with 191 precious people for salvation and 47 people for rededication. "Numbers are just numbers. Who knows how many other hearts were touched? "We were in seven states: North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Virginia. "We had the honor and privilege of praying with any wonderful children. One of the most memorable P'oung friends I met was tRachel, a tiny 6-year-old with curly brown hair.

"During the Fishnet Christian Festival in Front "Royal, she came forward and prayed with two ther children to ask Jesus into their hearts. Afterwards, I talked to Rachel. She explained that her Daddy used to do drugs. She pointed to her own arm to 1 show me where he had nee--dle marks. "She explained that her i Daddy went to prison but he got saved by the power and love of Jesus Christ.

"When Rachel's Daddy 'got out, she explained that he found a church and began walking with the Lord. He took his friends and they got saved, too. "Later I met Rachel's mother. She asked Rachel to explain what her Daddy does now. Rachel smiled, file's a preacher in our i "It tells me God's grace land love is more powerful than the deepest darkness." Yes, Jean Williams has 'ound her calling.

i Bob Fallstrom is Herald Review community news editor. riis column also appears on Sunday. 1 he wasn't able to do it by himself." In 1933, Grandpa constructed from concrete and rocks four chairs, a settee, a bird bath and fireplace for the yard. The same year he made exact replicas of a Wabash box car and locomotive which he placed in sealed glass cases. From the time he was a boy, Grandpa's hobby was making steam engines.

He constructed a three-cycle steam engine which he used to heat water for his mother to do her laundry. To aid him in making his own parts, he constructed a lathe from wood and a drill press out of lead pipes. He built a steam engine in 1940 that had the power to propel itself down the street by the burning of coal, corn cobs or wood, and it had an addition a whistle. The engine was the feature attraction of the neighborhood. Wealth, diamonds or gold were not among his possessions nor of his wishes.

He was able to contain his meager savings in one small Arm Hammer baking soda can which he always kept in his desk drawer. In the summer, Grandpa and Grandma could be found at the Cerro Gordo, Pontiac and Du Quoin fairs with a display of his craftsmanship. They also designed and made a rock garden with flowers, a pool in the middle, cement steps for walking and a smaller version of the large elephant made of rocks and stones. Grandpa lived a happy, contented life. He had a definite purpose in life and many hobbies to occupy his days.

His craftsmanship has touched lives all across the country. Joanne Morris Colver lives in Decatur. She's the daughter of Irene Morris of Decatur. In 1950, he constructed a 5-foot Ferris wheel which was operated by one of his steam engines. Each of the 12 passenger seats was occupied by a colorful doll wearing a lovely outfit.

Grandpa had the ability of taking something that looked like it had very little potential and making something enjoyable out of it seeing in a piece of wood the possibilities that were there. The junkyard was his delight. Not only did the junkyard have a certain intrigue, but the few parts that Omar could not make himself he found in the junkyard. The treasures hidden there for him to unveil were beyond imagination. Due to an accident at the Wabash shops where he worked, Grandpa was hit by a box car.

He suffered a back injury. This left the family almost penniless after using up their small savings. msm'WWi I.JILL-.1 'JJWWIUipi J' Richland Community College. The workshop is sponsored by the Herald Review's Newspaper in Education program. Cost is $10 for teachers enrolled in the NIE program and $12 for non-NIE teachers.

The fee includes continental breakfast and materials. Wilson is a retired teacher and former principal in Granite City. An advocate of the use of the newspaper as the basic text in the classroom, his program addresses improving students' skills in math and history as well as geography. To register, call Ellen Hardy, 421-6907, by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug.

23. DECATUR What can be done with a kid who's more interested in football than school? Combine the two, that's what. Nationally known educator Alfred J. Wilson knows how and he'll be coming to Decatur to show area teachers how it can be done. He says students can learn about geography by reading National Football League box scores on Chicago Bears games, on San Francisco 49ers games, on Kansas City Chiefs games, on all of the Sunday games and on the Monday night game.

His techniques have received national attention, including articles in Newsweek and features on the CBS and NBC networks. Wilson will give a workshop on "Pigskin Geography" 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 28, in Shilling Center, "1 Wilson Ervin Tuscola MAPJ Eldorado Dr rrf)r Douglas Dr. nl MOUNT ZION Win a 1993 Ford Mustang LX sedan for $20.

A drawing will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, in the bingo tent at Pony Express Days in Mount Zion Foundation Park. One thousand chances are being offered for a donation of $20. Second prize is $250.

Third prize is $100. Profits will be used by the Mount Zion Band Boosters to help send the Mount Zion High School Marching Braves to Orlando, next spring for Musicfest Orlando. It has been four years since the band has had an overnight trip. That one was to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn. Car raffle tickets are available at: Mount Zion State Bank Trust (Main Bank and Long Creek Banking Center) a First National Bank (Mount Zion and Long Creek Plaza) First Financial Bank at Illinois 121 Gregg Thomas Sunshine Motors.

From Mount Zion Band Boosters There will be a ticket booth, too, at Pony Express Days, starting Thursday. Where: Parke Street, west; Main Street, east; North Line Street, south. Size: 54 acres. Facilities: Two pavilions, two restrooms, three playground areas, four lighted tennis courts, four lighted baseball diamonds, swimming pool, horseshoe pits, basketball court, picnic tables. History: Nathanial G.

Ervin donated 24 acres to the city in 1916. Additional land was acquired in the 1930s and in 1985. jj BBk NORT" c37 InPT ryti 31 iiti Keck RAFFLE PRIZE: This 1993 Ford Mustang is being raffled by the Mount Zion Band Boosters to help finance a trip to Orlando, Fla..