Trick-or-treat a great idea

My husband and I would like to thank the person who came up with the idea to have the merchant trick-or-treat night on the night before Halloween. It was a really terrific idea. Having the two on the same night as in the past was always so hectic. This year both nights were relaxed for all. It was really nice not having to pack it all in one evening.

There were other bonuses, too. The kids got to wear their costumes one more time and they get more treats, too.

On Friday morning we heard on The Today Show that there was a dentist somewhere in New England that was offering to buy back kids' candy at $1 per pound. Not because of anything more than he was going to send it to our troops overseas. What a great idea. Hopefully next Halloween there won't be any need for that.

Once again, thank you to the person who came up with the merchants' trick-or-trreat one day early.

Jeff and Melissa Hall

Portland

Bad deal

To the editor:

For the most part, I have kept my opinion to myself about our state government selling off the toll road in upper Indiana. Though most people around here do not think of it much since it does not directly affect them, it affects me and my family. My husband is an over-the-road truck driver who hauls livestock. Often he has to take the toll roads to make it to his destination, especially when the loads are time-sensitive.

On Thursday evening (Oct. 9), while on his way to Plainwell, Mich., my husband used the toll road. He got on at Angola and exited at 107 at Middlebury, Ind. At the first toll-booth, he was issued a small card that he would have to submit when he exited. The problem was that when he pulled up to the last toll-booth to pay, there was no attendant. There was, however, an automated machine in which he was to slide the card in, insert his money, and then receive a receipt.

Unfortunately for my husband, the machine refused his card, stating that it was inserted the wrong way. After 24 minutes of reinserting the card in every way imaginable, as well as trying several suggestions from other people in the backup, he finally got an operator on the "help line." She instructed him to simply put the card into the slot, even though he had already told her the machine would not accept the card. After she finally realized the card was being rejected, she had my husband read the numbers off the bottom of the toll card. This allowed her to tell him the amount owed, and process the toll transaction. Then she told him to have a nice day and to please travel the toll road again. Needless to say, my husband was very upset. From this particular toll both, it is an hour drive to the plant to which he was delivering. Of course, he was late due to the 24 minutes wasted on the machine.

This is not the kind of aggravation truck drivers need, especially when they are on an already tight schedule. I really do not see how the selling out of Indiana's toll road has improved much. My husband said that the price of the tolls has skyrocketed and that the toll road itself is in disrepair in some areas and there are hardly ever actual people working the booths - especially at night. As angry as some people get while traveling, my husband is lucky no one approached him in such a way as to provoke any problems. I really think that having a human being at each booth is not too much to expect. My husband said that the line of semi-trucks and vehicles backed up behind him stretched all the way back to the interstate off-ramp and out onto the interstate. That in itself is a very dangerous situation. He said that one car's driver was so angry at the back up that they jumped the curb and sped through the automatic debit line at a very high rate of speed, honking all the while. For those who are traveling for work or vacation, this type of delay could manifest itself into road rage. For all our state has tried to do to better itself, I believe that in this instance, they only made things worse. Yes, the state may have gotten a large payout, but at what cost?

Sincerely,

Keri Harker

Portland

Good deal

To the editor:

Roger and I have been attending the "Silver Sneakers" classes that are offered through the Jay Community Center for several weeks now and have thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from them!   The most impressive part of the "Silver Sneakers" classes is that they are free of charge.  How many of you are aware that these classes are offered?  The classes we have been involved in are exercise classes, but others are available.  "Silver Sneakers" classes are for persons over the age of 55.

While out of town recently I checked with a gym to recreate the classes we were missing in Portland only to find out the minimum cost of these classes was $35 monthly for each of us, plus joining and administrative fees.   Do we as Jay County residents realize what a wonderful opportunity we have by being able to participate in classes at no charge?  Now that the winter weather is just around the corner and we will be spending more time indoors, I would encourage you to check out the exercise classes, yoga, spinning (biking), knitting, wood carving, and many more interesting things to do to get you out of your house. So go check out the activities at the Jay Community Center, then join your Jay County friends and neighbors during the next few months.  Spring will be just around the corner, so in the meantime GO, ENJOY, make friends or reconnect with old friends ... and the price is right for everyone.  It is free. Thank you and we will see you at the Jay Community Center for a few classes.

Bev & Roger Inman

Portland[[In-content Ad]]