For some reason, I can’t really explain why, I thought about a lot of old friends this week – and other special people who have crossed my path since I came to Lawrence County.

Friday, June 02, 2000

For some reason, I can’t really explain why, I thought about a lot of old friends this week – and other special people who have crossed my path since I came to Lawrence County.

It is amazing what can make you think of them – a chance comment that sparks a memory.

Some of these good people have passed on, leaving shoes that were more than a little hard to fill then – and are still empty now.

Others are still with us, still working hard or enjoying retirement.

I did not know all of these people as well as some of you might have. So, my stories are probably not as good as the ones you could tell. And, there are certainly plenty of your angels, friends, neighbors and family whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting.

But, one of the best parts about being a newspaper reporter/editor is that meeting people is part of your job – and, sometimes, those acquaintances leave marks on your memory.

What sparked this recent round of nostalgia was the story we did on the retirement of beloved Kingsbury principal Charlie Walters.

That made me think of another special principal at Kingsbury, Don Miller.

I remember Mr. Miller through the times I spent with his students. Their love for him was obvious – and his pride in them was infectious.

I never really had the pleasure of knowing him well, but I do remember that he made school a special place for many youngsters in Ironton.

That, of course, made me think of other teachers I have met over the years. One of those is Mary Beth Mason, now, Mary Beth Baker, whose honors class I visited many years ago. In fact, some of the students from that class recently earned their high school diplomas. Now, that will make you feel old.

Mrs. Baker was – and is – inspiring, a fine actress and a teacher who challenges her students to be the best they can be. And, they rarely let her down.

There are many teachers and principals like Mr. Miller and Mrs. Baker, whose efforts continue to live on in the lives they have touched – and whose schools and classrooms will forever be a part of my memory bank.

There are professional memories, too. Former columnists, now deceased, Don Mayne and Jim Joseph were an inspiration to anyone who was lucky enough to have encountered them early in her career as a reporter and writer.

And, there are many others.

Henrietta Hanifin, although she will shoot me for saying so, is a welcome visitor here – even when she is insisting on knowing why her club news has not been in the paper yet.

And then there are others whose influence has been even more profound.

Dorothy Harmon, a friend I know only through the mail, gave me one of my greatest gifts, my dog, Sassy.

Mrs. Harmon took care of Sassy when she was a neglected stray with puppies to care for. Without Mrs. Harmon’s kindness, I would not have an important member of my family.

Today is the day I tell this kind lady that Sassy is doing well – in fact she is a little chubby now. And, I add my thanks for a bit of kindness that forever changed my life.

While you were reading this column, you might have thought of a few, too.

Take some time today to send a little note, to say hello or to share a story about this person who left a mark on your life.

I guarantee you; it will make your day. It did mine.