Has a headline on a story ever given you a grab-your-sweater chill?
It happened to me not long ago.
I was scanning headlines in my digital subscription to the New York Times, trying to assess in a second or two if there was anything I wanted to actually read.
This headline caught my eye: “There are almost too many things to worry about.”
I couldn’t agree more, but, nevertheless, I reached for my sweater and averted my eyes from an opinion piece I usually enjoy. Labeled “The Conversation,” it is a weekly back-and-forth debate between two columnists, one who leans left and one who leans right.
Always civil, the two – Gail Collins and Bret Stephens – never fail to provide insight and food for thought. I find I usually agree with some of what both have to say.
But, these days, I’m just too worried about the state of things to invite more worry. We all know the long list of issues America and the world are facing. I won’t enumerate.
Even on the local level, it’s too true that straight-up news can put the reader in a negative state of mind. It can’t be helped if reporters are dedicated to telling the news, not filtering it.
But everybody deserves a break, reporters and readers included.
That’s why today’s column offers a swim in the Sea of Tranquility. Not the dark spot in the northern hemisphere of the Moon, where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first human visitors in 1969, but the one that exists when a newspaper dedicates significant space to Good News Only.
We asked our reporters to contribute some on-the-job warm and fuzzies. Get ready to feel a little better about the condition of the human race.
■ From Steve Taylor, editor of the Opinion Section you are reading and the Leader’s top-notch political reporter:
“One of my regular assignments is to cover the De Soto Board of Education meetings. De Soto’s board always does a good job of featuring people in the school community – students, staff members, volunteers.
“At its March meeting, held in the Junior High cafeteria to make sure everyone could enjoy the proceedings comfortably, students from all four schools were celebrated for academic, leadership, musical and athletic achievements, as were employees and residents who went the extra mile for the kids.
“I took photos of 51 people who were recognized (some others didn’t make the meeting). And outgoing board members Jeff Russell (21 years) and Lori McKee (four years) also were commended for their service.”
■ From Tony Krausz, editor of the Eureka Leader and primary reporter for the Arnold-Imperial Leader:
“The first Arnold Back the Blue Trivia Night was more successful than organizers anticipated.
The event was held by the Arnold Police Officers Association and Leader Publications and raised $25,313.94.
“The association donated $10,000 to BackStoppers and will use the remaining proceeds to fund the group’s Shop with a Hero program, which is held in December and provides the opportunity for children to shop with a first responder.
“The evening drew about 450 people to the Meramec Arnold Elks in Imperial with about 420 participating in a 10-round trivia contest. The night also featured drawings for a custom-built AR-15 rifle, a Backwoods Smoker Chubby 3400, a wheelbarrow of alcohol, a 50-50 drawing, drawings for gift baskets and a silent auction that featured decorative woodwork created by two Arnold Police officers, tickets to upcoming St. Louis Blues hockey games and a Masterbuilt Pro Series smoker.”
■ From Kevin Carbery, our trivia columnist and veteran journalist who keeps his eye on all manner of happenings in south Jefferson County (and elsewhere, too, whenever asked).
“The Festus R-6 Performing Arts Center opened to rave reviews in February.
“The 28,500-square-foot, 750-seat structure cost $14 million. The entire building is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible and offers such features as a huge stage, LED lighting around the stage, an orchestra area, rooms designated for set and costume design, a community room, multiple mounted
monitors and other amenities. It is available for use by outside groups when not being used by Festus students.
“One such group that plans to hold performances at the center is Spotlight Community Theatre-Jeffco, a new theater troupe based in Festus. At the group’s formation meeting in early March, about 80 people attended and founder Courtney Wisely said dozens more have registered to be a part of the group’s activities since that meeting.”
■ From Laura Marlow, charter Leader staffer who has worn so many hats over the last quarter-century, they can’t be listed:
“I’ve done a lot of stories about children and their families in crisis, and it can be heart-rending.
“But so many of these families are like the Schmitts, Carrie and Mike, whose son, Jackson, died of an aggressive cancer at age 7.
“I am endlessly inspired by the courage of these folks, who have suffered an unimaginable loss and still choose to keep their heads up and smile and work to make it so other kids and other families don’t have to walk the same path. The Schmitts say their motto is ‘Choose Joy,’ and I love that phrase.
“Many of the stories we’ve written over the years have had to do with people pursuing their passions. Whether it’s collecting eyeballs (yep, that was an actual feature story some years back), deep-diving into genealogy, re-enacting Civil War battles or rescuing possums, our readers are always coming up with things to do, make, collect, create – and I’m grateful to be able to tell their stories. Keep ’em coming!”
■ From Katelyn Mary Skaggs, our reporter who focuses on west Jefferson County, the county Health Department (a heavy workload, there, in the pandemic era), and the Eureka-Wildwood region.
“Recently, otters have brightened my spirit.
“In the March 31 issue of the Eureka Leader, I was excited to report about a Eureka couple, Stephanie Arne-Davison and Tim Davison, filming otters in a pond by Augustine Road.
“This gave me a great excuse to watch an otter video over and over and learn more about these swimming champions.
“Stephanie and Tim kept me laughing during our interview and the story of how they met feels like it’s straight from a romantic novel.
“I also found joy in reporting about Leah Winchester of House Springs, granddaughter of the late Naomi Parker Fraley, who inspired the famous ‘We Can Do It’ poster from 1942.
“I found Leah’s grandmother’s story truly inspiring and I learned a lot about the poster. For example, the poster was never really famous during World War II, but gained fame years later when the Smithsonian displayed it and used it to sell souvenirs.
“Leah gave me a copy of the poster, which I have hung at my desk next to a sign reading, ‘Behind every successful woman is herself.’
“Those two items give me a daily motivation boost.”
■ My turn:
Many things make me happy about my job. I’ve learned so much over the decades about our community and the estimable humans who live here.
On my mind today, however, is one exceptional human, Helen Killoren of Barnhart.
Can any other newspaper anywhere brag about a 101-year-old regular correspondent?
I’ve written about Helen twice before in columns, first about her devotion to the American flag and then about her presidential vote in her 100th year, on the anniversary of American women gaining the right to vote (2020).
Some of Helen’s letters on the Leader’s efforts make it into the Opinion Section, but not all. She’s an equal-opportunity cheerleader, regularly telling our reporters and columnists when she appreciates what we do.
I strive to be an appreciator, but too often allow laziness to take over. Not Helen, Her century-old eyes make it difficult for her to read the paper, but she perseveres, and then takes the time and effort to comment.
I’ll share an excerpt from a recent note she sent to me.
“Your column (2-24-22) made me think I was reading about myself.
“Although I lived in a loving family, the words ‘I love you’ were never spoken.
“My grandma also had a pedal Singer sewing machine and made me beautiful dresses. We still have the machine, and it’s a treasure.
“Thanks for the memories.”
She offered this postscript:
“I’ll be 102 years old in May, God willing.”
Good news, indeed.
