In addition to a baldhead, working in newspapers has created a fairly thick skin on yours truly. In short, it takes a good bit to truly get me aggravated.

Call me names. I can take it.

Say I'm a sorry, awful excuse for a human being (best read with the internal voice of a Marine drill instructor). It's OK. I know I'm really not that bad. I can take it, too.

But two phrases can make my blood boil faster than a speeding bullet.

First, my brow furrows when I hear, &#8220There's nothing here in this town (or county). I don't know why anyone would want to live here.”

OK, if you really feel that way. Move. Please. People who constantly say the glass is half empty make it a less pleasant planet on which to live. Do us a favor and either find a better disposition for yourself or somewhere else to live. Negativity for negativity's sake isn't of much use.

The second phrase that burns my hind end is when someone laments, &#8220You can't run a business in this town (village or county).”

I wholeheartedly disagree.

Look around and you'll see quite a few people running what appear to be highly successful businesses from right here in Lawrence County.

The key seems to be that the folks who run them work hard - sometimes really hard.

In Ironton a few names pop into mind when I think of successful businesses. Weber's Florists and Gifts, Unger's Shoe Store, Allyn's Jewelry, Fannin's Hallmark, are just a few.

Of those, I probably know the first two the most. I've driven by Unger's on my way home at night to see Mary (Unger) Meehan working in the display window. I looked down at my watch and it was after 9:30 p.m. That's dedication.

The same thing can be said for Weber's, too. Owner Bonnie McGoron and her crew work like crazy to fill all the orders and to never disappoint.

That's in spite of getting lots of calls (including some from me occasionally) that rarely include much detail.

&#8220Umm, I'd like to send some flowers.”

&#8220OK, what did you have in mind?”

Although I never say this exactly, I should say, &#8220I have no clue. I'm a guy who knows little to nothing about flowers, but who trusts you 100 percent. Please take care of me.”

And if I did say that, they'd be right on it.

The same could be said for Unger's, Allyn's and Fannin's. And, the list could go on because they aren't alone.

All of this hard work actually helps you, too, and not in the way you might first think. In addition to being able to stay close to home and help your friends and neighbors with their business, you're helping your community.

If you spend a dollar in Lawrence County, that dollar most likely stays here and the taxes go to help your community.

That's something we all need to keep in mind as we go about our holiday travels. Sure, the malls and &#8220big box” retailers may seem convenient, but at what cost?

Even a thick-skinned, bald-headed fool knows the answer to that one.

Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Ironton Tribune. He can be reached at (740) 532-1441 ext. 12 or by e-mail to kevin.cooper@irontontribune.com.