Off The Cuff Archive

I am a little behind in my communications, and thus would like to use this space to thank a few readers for their letters.

 Thanks to Mary L. Nichols of Grantsville for her letter of appreciation and to Ruth Ann Welch of Sinking Springs for her correspondence (written on 15 separate post-it notes pasted to the newspaper page which inspired her writing). Both letters were wonderful, and I hope to hear from you again.

We could use more letters in the newspaper. Letters to the editor, letters to staff, letters just because. I have letters and notes pasted all over my office walls, and have never thrown away a single letter I have received.

 The now infamous Judy Wolfram, author of “Waste Not, Want Not,” began her relationship with The Calhoun Chronicle with a letter to me. By the time we met in person, she had written three letters, and I knew who she was the minute I met her. Now, nearly two years later, she has become a correspondent, and regular visitor to both of the Chronicle offices.

Readers may think we get letters all the time--angry letters, letters to the editor, letters of praise--but this is not necessarily true. For me, those notes that say, “nice article” or “good job” or “thanks” come far too rarely, and those that say, “you don’t belong here” and “go back to where you came from” and “you’re an idiot” come too often.

 I realize in this day and age that letter writing is a lost art. With emails and telephones, it seems that no one writes letters anymore. As someone who had several pen pals when I was young, I think it is sad to see such communication fade away.

 Letters carry stories. Stories about Ruth Ann Welch’s roses and her garden struggles, stories of Mary Nichols’ feelings about media reports, of Judy Wolfram’s fear of water, of Carl Shaw’s theories for improving our economy. Even angry letters reflect the story of the author who may disappointed with an article, frustrated with my opinions, or prejudiced against anyone who is not originally from here.

Letters carry stories, good and bad. As a writer, I enjoy stories, and each letter tells me the story of one of our readers. I like to learn about you, just as much as you may like to learn about community news or my flower garden, or other tidbits we include in the newspaper.