HArumph!

Well, they aren’t gonna print my letter to the editor since I’m related to the columnist – so – I’ma post my letter HERE. Maybe someone will pick up the vibe and write in or something – it’s too good not to be seen anyway! *g*

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There have been a few letters criticizing the new Neighbors layout and format since the change, and I thought it is important to make sure that the columnists know that they are appreciated for all the work they put in as well. While many of the comments involve “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality, one comment that stood out was the fact that if the reader wanted to interview someone, she could knock on their door and ask. To that reader and others like them, I can only ask one thing. You could, but would you?

The insights into the names that we hear about town on a more fully explored basis can only enhance that good hometown feeling. How many of you knew that we have a potential eventual Olympic ice skater in our midst? Right now she’s headed toward the Peninsula Games, and then the Winter Games after that. In four years we could see her at the Olympics. Did you know that? I didn’t, until a Neighbors columnist took the time to find out.

And how about the fact that there are still people out there willing to apprentice our young folk in such tasks as forging metal into swords and blades for decorative as well as functional uses? Did YOU know that you can tell when its time to pound the iron with a magnet?

Sure, each and every one of us could trudge through the cold to bang on doors and ask these questions and get to know our neighbors – but those of us that would are few and far between. Kudo’s to the neighbors columnists who go out in the cold so that when I see Jessica, or Zeke, (or Brock or Billie or Dan or…) I can say “hey, aren’t you…” and more easily open a conversation with the connection offered in the Neighbors Column each week. I also appreciate the addition to the online journal style entries, so that I have access to them as I take my paper online, not in hand.

And for those that bemoan the loss of the ‘about town’ section: it’s STILL THERE. As with the previous incarnation of the neighbors, that section is dependent on YOU the readers to provide the information so that it gets included. Again, that involves stepping out of your comfort zone, tossing an email or phone call to your columnist, and letting them in on your life too.

So yeah, maybe you could all do what they do…. but would you?

Lessa
Proud Daughter of your Soldotna Neighbor Columnist.–

So there – someone spread the vibes so people who are all DISSING the hard working columnists at peninsulaclarion.com will be outnumbered by those ENCOURAGING them!