The Gettysburg Times from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Merry Christmas: From our family to yours Datelines THE Founded 1902 Cffit. (AP) land in heavy fog slammed into the-roof of a mall jam- Christmas Shewing flames andde- bnsintoariarea crowded with youngsters waitingtosee Santa Glaus. At least three people died and 59 were reported. fie twiiiwngine'Beechcraft Baron vfas approaching Buchanan Field, making an instrument approach with visibility of about three-quarters of a mile, 'when it crashed into the roof of Sun Valley Mali about 8:45 p.m. Monday, authorities reported.

Reynolds wins cigarette suit Calif, (AP) A fam'fly filed a $1 inillion lawsuit against R.J. Reynolds Tqfeacco Co. the public "what ifrJf to die by despite a ruling that Reynolds isn't for the, death of a man who smoked for 50 Uteir case chi with fraud andlarceny ina subway tunnel'project. world Washington Amtrak will reduce service WASHINGTON (AP) Amtrak, facing a major cut in its federal subsidy, will reduce service on 10 passenger-train routes beginning next month, officials say. Service reductions, beginning Jan.

12, will affectma- jor cities on such routes as Chicago-Detroit, Washington-Atlanta-New Orleans and Chicago-Salt Lake City- Seattle. weather Cold and flurries. Lows 5 to IS. Friaay: Fair Friday. Lows 5 to 15.

TMglft: Cold, windy with scattered snow showers. Christens: Bitterly coW. scattered snow showers, "emps near 10. Lottery MONDAY Pa. Dairy Number Pa.Lotto(2winners)...

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1985 Copyright Times News Publishing Co. 1985 3UC "IfedweEavelfvedupiosoniepromisesmadetomy said Elayne Galbraith, the widow of John Mark Galbraith, who died at age 69 in 1982. TJiomas Workman, Reynolds' chief attorney, who had argued that Galbrafth "smoked because he loved it" and suggested he died of hereditary illnesses including heart disease, predicted the company would continue to win in court. Mary Lund's chances lessen MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Doctors'arfe in waiang first female artificial heart recipient, said a spokesman who put her chances of survival at less than 50 percent. Mary Lund's continuing kidney malfunction and recent-inability to respond to commands were among the reasons cited for'tbe worsened prognosis.

Mrs. Lund, 40, who is in a "light coma," did show some improvement Monday in her neurological activity. Fivedaysafterher faiUngheart was replaced witha smaller version of the Jarvik-7, she was in critical but stable condition. Judge allows wiretap evidence NEW YORK (AP) A state judge Monday approved the use of wiretap evidence in the fraud case against former Labor Secretary Raymond J. Donovan, rejecting charges that FBI misconduct had tainted the sur- Mandela will visit, husband JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP.) Winnie Mandela, barred from her Soweto home by a police cordon, traveled to Cape Town for a holiday visit with her imprisoned husband Nelson, whose guerrilla group was blamed by officials for a bomb that killed seven -whites near Durban.

Mrs. Mandela, 50, a respected anti-apartheid activist in her own right, was arrested twice at her home over the weekend for defying a government ban on entering the Johannesburg area. On Saturday the government lifted an order issued in 1977 that restricted her to the rural community of Brandfort. Recently, she had ignored that order. "ARE YOU UP THERE?" --87 percent of American children 3 to 10 believe in Santa Claus and 10-year-old Erik Schwartz is among them.

The youngster is ready to welcome the jolly old elf tonight, with stockings to be filled, milk and cookies. (Times photo by Bill Schwartz I McCaiins say thanks for a Merry Christmas By T.W. BURGER Times Staff Writer CHAMBERSBURG "Oh my God! Oh my God!" Betty McCann cried as her three older children helped unload a van of toys, clothing, and food. The gifts were collected and stored by the South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP) after a Dec. 11 feature in theTVmes about the McCann family's plight.

James McCann. 36. and his wife. Betty, 29, moved to Chambersburg from Baltimore in September. He is disabled, his right lung is gone and his left is damaged from "smoking too much." Betty is due to deliver another baby any day now.

"We hope it's a girl," Betty smiled, laying a hand across her abdomen. James said there was cheaper housing available, but the places were "not the kinda place where a man feels like his kids is safe." He said the Wayne Avenue area is a place where he feels good about raising his kids. Betty said the neighbors are friendly and have been helpful. The couple and their children. James.

Jamie. Michelle, Michael, and Christopher, aged 9 through 3. will still probably be evicted from their home. The McCanns have been summoned to appear in a Chambersburg court on Dec. 27 for an eviction hearing.

James' disability checks and Betty's welfare simply aren't enough to cover the rent. They often went hungry to feed the kids. The eviction problem won't go away, but through the help of area families, this is going to be a brighter Christmas than the McCanns ever expected. People in Adams County have shown the McCanns that the world doesn't always operate "business as usual." at least not around Christmas. it may be true that the United Way campaign had to go into overtime in Adams County because it fell 34 percent short of its goal.

The per capita giving record may be a dismal $2.80 compared to much higher rates in neighboring counties. But a handful of area residents responded immediately and generously to the story of the McCanns. One Adams County man. unemployed since October, drove over the mountain to give food. a Christmas tree, and toys to the family.

Knowing only that the family's last name was McCann and that they lived on Wayne Avenue, they persuaded a mailman to tell them which house to deliver their gifts to. Another area man confessed over the telephone that he had been feeding his family on off-season venison, because he's out of work. Then he asked how he could send food and clothing to the McCanns. Some of those who have called are well-off financially. One woman arranged to have the ingredients for a Christmas dinner delivered to the McCanns' door.

Another paid the balance remaining on the family's refrigerator when she learned that the appliance company was trying to repossess it But for the most part, those who brought girts to the Gettysburg SCCAP center on North Stratton Street were of modest means themselves. Some, it seemed, had little to spare. But spare they did. Most who called the Times offices spoke shyly, haltingly, of Christmases they themselves could remember when there wasn't enough food lo go around, and no gifts at all on Christmas morning. Some said they wanted to help because no one helped them, and they remembered how hard that was.

Others remembered that someone, neighbors, friends. Lord, 1 read that article and looked at the picture them kids, 1 and I knew I hoi I can't stand to tfiem goin'' 'through Christmas, wfhout nothing I don't care whose fault it is that they're in this spot A about the church, had helped them through hard times, and felt that they owed a debt for that. Another, a grandmother who had raised five children of her own and who had weathered the economic droughts of the Depression years, said: "Lord. I read that article and looked at the picture of them kids, and 1 knew I had to do somethin. I can't stand to think'a them goin" through Christmas without I don't care whose fault it is that they're in this spot.

I'm just thinkin' about them kids." But a York Springs woman put it best: "My husband was raised on a farm and they had it pretty rough. He remembers it real well. We don't have a lot now. but it's more'n we need. If we can't share it with those who have less, then shame on us." The donations might be counted in terms of numbers of toys, pounds of food, the amount of clothing.

It might be counted in the $200 in cash that found its way to the SCCAP offices. But the best accounting came from the children: Christopher, aged 3. clutched fiercely at what was going lo be his new pillow and nobody else's. Goalless Jamie stood in the chilly air. trying on newfound treasures: a stocking cap.

a scarf, and her first pair of gloves, ever. Michelle, sick with a cold, ran wildly around the yard, flourishing a sunny yellow umbrella. James "Jim-Jim." t. tried his best to be solemn, wrestling a box containing a monster turkey into his mother's kitchen. Michael.

5. looked a littlestunncd. standing framed in the doorway, trying to decide which of 10 cookies to eat first. The McCanas looked on. as their children, shrieking with delight, rooted around in the bags and boxes looking for more treasures.

Very often their eyes si rayed to the mound of new Christmas gifts piled around the tree There's an iron-clad rule there: Not Until Christmas. James, his eyes moist, said: "I don't know what to say. Thank you. lhank you Well never forge! Ihis Thank you. and Merry Christmas Adams County So many items of food and clothing came to the McCanns that they're sure there's more than they'll over use.

They say that, once they've sorted through their Christmas gift from Adams County, they'll donate the remainder to SCCAP. In the anger of their first interview, the McCanns had hMod SCCAP among those agencies who had been unw tiling or unablr to help them when they first got to Chambersburg. Betty McCann said Monday thai SCAPP had been the one agency who had. in fact, been helpful ost still believe NEW YORK A In an age of harsh realities, some children still believe in thetradition of Santa Glaus. In fact, 87 percent of American children aged 3 to 10 believe in the jolly old man, according to a published poll.

But as they get older, skepticism sets in. While every 3-year-old interviewed for the.New York Times polls believed in Santa, only two-thirdsof the 10-year-olds said they believed. The newspaper today reported its survey of 261 children in every state except Hawaii and Alaska. "He's a spirit, said Katie Nicholson, 9, who lives on Whidbey Island in thestateof Washington. "He's kind and loving." "He's the guy who brings you yoar presents," said Cade Barbier, 8, of Gray, La.

Age was the only element that seemed to affect the belief in Santa, the Times found in. tefeffeone interviews Dec. 14-18. Sex. color, religion or politics didn't matter.

However, children from more likely to believe than were the children of the well-to-do, and liberals' children were more, likely to believe than Some older children had logical explanations for their disbelief. "One time I said Sara Gates. 8. of Burke, Va "A Dike can't come down a chimney." While other children wilhout fireplaces believed Santa Claus was smart and powerful toget in without a chimney. Miss Oates had ao faith.

"He eatft get IB the door." she said. "The doarsacelocked." Other children who fcaew the troth about the bearded visitor were sorry they had lostlheiryoHferuI innocence. "It was more fun fonnewhenlbelievedinSanta said Marian Mitchell. Macon. Ga who became wise when she was 8 or 9.

Todd Mathews, 10 from Norton. Ohio, has caught onto Santa and the Tooth Fairy, but he remains a disciple of the Easter Bunny. "Now that, I believe in." he said. From Santa's bag Plastic flamingos and an elk helps decorate the tree WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. (AP) In this artsy, picture- postcard New England college town, the hottest-selling decoration this Christmas is the plastic flamingo.

"Some professors have bought whole flocks of them and get up at 5 a.m. to rearrange them so they get a different view every day," said Sandra Westie. a clerk at Philips General Store. "We've ordered cases of them and reordered and reordered and reordered and they are still going out of here. It's a yuppie phenomenon." Ms.

Westie said Monday. "It's hysterical." Williamstown, calling itself "Village Beautiful" and boasting more art per capita than any other American community, is home to Williams College and the Clark Art Institute. ELKS LIKE THE TREE GARDINER. Mont. (AP I This windswept town on the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park has a ragged Christmas tree without lights or ornaments.

It once was a whole. 30-foot tree, cut on nearby Forest Service land, said Marge McCoy, who helped organize the group that cut it. But they didn't have time to put fence il in and put it up immediately, so Ihey left it lying in the snow. Then the elk came. "That night, the elk ate up one whole side." she said.

"So the next day we wired up the tree with the bald side to the back." Then more elk wandered into town. "There were seven bulls around that tree. I heard." Ms. McCoy said. "They had to get up on their hind legs to reach that high up." Finally, she said, townspeople decided to "let the elk have it." The lights and ornaments were left off so the elk wouldn't get electrocuted, she said "It's kind of unique.

I guess." PULL THE CAROL PLUG? SPRINGFIELD. Ohio AP Music professor William R. Walters wishes someone would pull the plug on non-stop Christmas carols. "It sounds kind of Scrooge-like, but a lot of times lo rediscover something, you have to take it away." he said. Walters, who teaches at Wittenberg University, said "wallpaper music" is starting to make people oblivious to some of the greatest songs of our culture.

"We're becoming kind of culturally deaf." said Walters. 59. who has taught music for 35 years. 30 of them at the Lutheran-affiliated school. Because we are surrounded by music, he said.

"People are learning not to hear it." ALL PRAISE TO YOU. CHRIST JESUS. KING OF EVERLASTING GLORY MICHAEL MARY GRACE HOBBS FAMILY (Adv.).