BiB-Lancasier Farming, Saturday, May 11, 1996 Family Transforms Tragedy Into Hope For Others LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Fanning Staff MYERSTOWN (Lebanon Co.) The death of Renee Layser was a horrible tragedy. The senseless murder .could have left family members bitter and angry forever. Instead, the family strives to turn their tragic loss into something positive. On the evening of May 2, a memorial dinner was held for Renee in which more than $104,000 was raised for the Bre thren Disaster Relief Fund. Renee was 19 years old and six months pregnant when she was murdered by a former boyfriend. Renee had graduated from East ern Lebanon County High School in 1992 and was employed as a bank teller for Lebanon Valley National Bank and as a Longaber gcr Basket consultant. People who knew and loved Renee said that she had a pleasant smile and a friendly personality. She was known as a thoughtful young woman who took time to help others. Her death shocked Lebanon countians where she grew up. Many expressed outrage that the murderer could not receive the death penalty because at that time, for a case to receive a death penal ty, the list of aggravating circum stances required that more than one person be killed. An unborn child was not considered a person. Renee’s case caused Sen. Chip Brightbill to introduce legislature Taking Time by Rebecca Escott Tackling Transportation Expenses If your family expenses this month are out of balance because of increased transportation costs, you’re not alone! For some reason (hotly debated in the media and government), gasoline prices have spiked recently. Families with teen-age drivers, retirees who love to travel, and employees with long commutes have suddenly found their wallets emptying faster than usual when they stop by the gas pump. What can consumers do? Two things—conserve fuel and reduce overall transportation expenses and speak out about your dissatis faction and concerns. First, all families can stretch their transportation resources. Make sure that you check your tire pressure on all your vehicles at least once a month. You can save up to $lOO a year on gas by keep ing your engine tuned and tires in flated properly, underinflated tires can rob drivers of one mile a gal lon of gas consumed. The Earth Works Group, a conservation group, reports the 50-80 percent of tires in the United States are un derinflated. Properly inflated tires also wear longer. This means you get more tor the money you spent on them. Secondly, practice gentle driv ing. Energy consumption studies show that slow starts and gradual stops as well as overall reduced speeds of travel save on fuel con- that changed the laws. Now killing a pregnant woman would result in a death sentence. But Renee’s parents, John and Nancy Layser, and grandparents Carl and Margaret Wenger, said that as practicing Brethren who stress non-violence. They do not believe it is right to take a life for whatever reason. "We miss Renee. We think of her every day,” said Rose Walmer. an aunt and spokesperson for the family. “He made a horrible mis take that ruined his life and his family’s, and left an emptiness in our life. But anger and bitterness won’t change that” The accused is sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime that he committed on August 13, 1994. The family said that they trea sure all the joy and love that Renee brought into their lives. “She and her baby are with the Lord. What better place to be? That’s what we dwell on,” Walmer said. Renee’s death prompted her grandfather Carl Wenger who founded Wengers of Myerstown, a construction and agriculture equipment facility, to establish The Wenger Foundation, Inc., which helped fund the memorial dinner. A percentage of the Wen ger business profits will continue to fund the ongoing foundation, which will provide for education al, religious, and community projects. sumption. Driving more patiently may also reduce the stress that a rushed, pressuring lifestyle cre ates. In addition to driving gently, consumers can save fuel by cut ting down on the times they leave their cars idling. Allowing a car to idle any longer than one minute consumes jnorc fuel than if the driver shut it off and started it again whe she was ready to drive. Plan your errands and chauf feuring. Cut down on at least one ■ car trip each week. When possi ble, now that the weather is plea sant and it stays lighter later in the evening, walk or ride a bike in stead of driving your car on a short trip. The average family can save $74 per year by making one less trip per week in the car. Families can also lower their overall transportation costs by evaluating their current auto insur ance policies. A survey done by a personal finance magazine several years ago found that auto insur ance prices offered by different in surance companies to people who live in the same area, have the same accident history and drive the same type of automobile can vary by as much as 100 percent! It pays to comparison shop. So when it’s time to renew your auto insur ance, take some time to get three or four estimates. Select the most cost-effective one. That doesn’t necessarily mean (he lowest cost. It means selecting the least expen sive policy for the best coverage. Donna Derr, director of Disaster and Refugee Programs, expressed gratefulness for the money raised at the memorial dinner for the Brethren Diasaster Relief Fund. Numerous Items such as quilts and Longaberger baskets were auctioned at the din ner. More than $104,000 was raised. More than 800 people attended the memorial, cosponsored by the Wenger family (grandparents of Renee) and Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Burkholder, owners of Dutch Val ley Food Distributors and chair persons for the Brethren Relief Auction. Held at Lebanon Valley Exposi tion Center at the Lebanon Area Both aspects need to be consid ered. While you're contacting your insurance agent, ask what finan cial savings you could achieve by raising your collision deductible to at least $5OO. For individuals who own older vehicles, you may want to drop your collision cover age (and put .the savings in the bank) because the blue book value on older cars often does not justify the premium expense. And finally, to decrease trans portation expenses, make fuel cfi ficiency a high priority the next time you purchase a car. In addition to practicing wise energy conservation, this may be a good time to try out that under used consumer voice of yours. Find out as much information as possible. Ask questions of your lo cal gas station manager, congress men. Listen to informed discus sions of the issue. Then pick up your phone, pen, or turn on your computer and contact your government representatives. Ex press your frustration and concern with the skyrocketing prices. Pro vide them with a few specifics like how your expenses have increased from two months ago or chart lo cal stations prices. Perhaps com ment on things such as how in creases in these prices will affect your families travel (and purcha sing) plans or how it has eaten into your family’s take-home wages. In an issue such as this one, there are always mixed messages and differing explanations. Every consumer needs to express his or her opinion about what these costs mean. Let all the involved parties know how the changes affect you and what ACTION you are taking (for example, deliberating cutting down on fuel consumption, choos ing not to patronize a business, etc.). Tackling the family transporta tion budget head on and making changes can save substantial mon ey. Fairgrounds, the entertainment at the dinner was provided by south ern gospel musicians The Anchor men and Kirk Talley, and by ven triloquist Geraldine and Rickey. All money raised through indi vidual tickets, which sold for $lOO each, and through the auction of several quilts. Longaberger baskets, and other items went to Water Quality Workshop SCRANTON (Lackawanna Co.) Did you know the quality of spring water can be affected by changes in temperature, rainfall, and runoff? Bacteria and nitrate levels can change over a short per iod of time. Water testing is the only way to ensure that wells and springs are safe. Dangerous contaminants such as lead, nitrate, radon, and Rhubarb Fest To Be Held May 18 The annual Rhubarb Fest will be held on May 18 at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse. The Fest is a culinary experience extraodinaire. Plus there is a great roster of rhubarb-inspired festivities from the World’s Only Rhubarb Car Derby (mini dragsters are made or rhubarb stalks and electronically timed for the fastest finish) to the Best Rhu barb Pie contest, rhubarb Pie Throw, Quilting Beed, and Rhubarb Arcade of Games. It’s a family affair that offers something to see, taste, and do as long as it involves Rhubarb! For a free copy of the Kitchen Kettle Village Festivals Brochure, call 1 800-717-6198. RHUBARB MAPLE MUFFINS VA cups diced rhubarb 2!4cups flour 1 teaspoon salt 'A teaspoon allspice 'A cup maple syrup A cup milk '/> cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 'A teaspoon cinnamon 6 tablespoons margarine 1 egg Combine rhubarb and sugar. Let stand one hour. Combine flour, salt, baking powder, allspice, and cinnamon. Cream margarine, syrup and egg. Blend in the milk. Mix rhubarb and dry ingredients, mixing only until combined. Spoon into 12 muffin tins lined with muffin pap ers. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. the relief fund. The fund will be used to enable families to rebuild their homes and lives after a natur al disaster. “Our family shares a rich herit age in the Brethren faith and we have long been ardent supporters of the Brethren Disaster Relief Fund,” Wenger said of the fami ly’s decision to support the fund. organic chemicals cannot be detected by taste or smell. Penn State; Cooperative Exten sion of Lackawanna County will hold a Safe Drinking Water Clinic on Saturday, May 18, from 2:30 p.m. to S p.m. Reduced water test ing rates will be offered. For more information or to register for the free workshop, call the Extension office at (717) 963-4761.
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