To all the Kennard Martins out there, today (as we should every day) we say “thank you.”
Martin, as readers may recall, was honored at Goshen College Wednesday for his service to several generations of college students. Martin is in the maintenance department at the college and has mowed countless acres of grass and removed many tons of snow during the 50 years he has worked at the college. College President James Brenneman proclaimed this school year will have a theme of service, based on Martin’s example.
Some people may not consider someone doing their job as being a service. We disagree. Martin, you see, has done his job well, dependably and without fussing with his superiors or co-workers, for 50 years. And, the job he holds is not a glamorous position on campus or in the community. Most jobs in America are similar to Martin’s in their anonymity.
What we are increasingly aware of as we cover the local news, is that in Goshen there are many people who are willing to stick with jobs that produce small numbers on weekly paychecks, but offer big rewards in personal satisfaction and through the contributions they make to our community.
Last year the administrator of a local nursing home, Courtyard, spoke well of Goshen in The News, saying many people here have “servant hearts,” meaning they are gladly willing to help others through their jobs. He was very accurate.
Certainly, much of this attitude can be attributed to the many Christian denominations in Goshen that believe putting others first is one of the basic messages of Christ’s teachings. This communal belief helps create the positive attitude Goshen residents have about their city and their neighbors.
And one of those neighbors is Kennard Martin, who according to the people who work with him daily, is a humble man who enjoys his job. And through that job he has helped tens of thousands of students, staff and public visitors on the Goshen College campus.
That type of service is truly commendable and is deserving of emulation. Thank you Mr. Martin.
Opinion
Many are helped by those with ‘servant hearts’
- Opinion
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13 turnarounds we can admire
Before trustees of Goshen Community Schools met this past Monday night, a reception was held to honor 13 deserving students. They weren’t valedictorians or salutatorians. They weren’t class presidents or all-state student-athletes.
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Recognition as bicycle-friendly city appreciated
Goshen is in the second year of its four-year designation by the League of American Bicyclists as a bike-friendly community. We congratulate city planners and bicycle advocates for this continuing recognition.
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A message that all children need to hear
Gayla Konanz is giving girls the message they need to hear — fitness begins early in life and is the foundation that self-esteem and confidence are built on.
Konanz is a fitness advocate for children and works through the Girls on the Run program. The Goshen News told readers in the May 2 edition how Konanz is working with girls at Bristol Elementary School and is encouraging them to get fit and stay fit. -
We’re No. 12, and No. 1,268! Way to go GHS
This has become a popular space for singing the praises of our local school corporations in recent years. That’s because we believe in the quality work and effort our educators and students are putting forth on a daily basis in and out of the classroom.
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Bill Bloss was a superb servant
Bill Bloss, a man who was always willing to step up and help his hometown of Goshen, died Wednesday. We know that everyone who had met Mr. Bloss and got to know him, will miss him plenty.
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Voters and candidates deserve a 'thank you'
In light of Tuesday’s primary election, we’d like to take a moment and thank two groups of people.
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A portrait of success this past Friday
Goshen’s First Fridays has garnered its fair share of headlines since March when the City Council began considering ordinance amendments geared toward youth attending the monthly festival.
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Time not always on public’s side
One candidate was asked whether or not he was a socialist. Others discussed funding priorities, and even braved the tricky topic of where Goshen’s “south link road” should or shouldn’t go.
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Good news in local education
Public schools — especially diverse urban districts — often get a bad rap by those who choose to look through the narrow telescope of standardized test scores. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Standardized tests are a wonderful tool for educators, but not the end-all, be-all of gauging achievement and effectiveness.
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Gang 'talk' is what we need
Business owners see the evidence on their store fronts. Teachers see it sitting in their classrooms. Police officers see it in their daily reports. Graffiti. Clothing. Violence. While the term “gang” can conjure images of crusty inner-city slums, it is not a term that is lost any longer here in Elkhart County.
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13 turnarounds we can admire
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