The mailbox is jammed and begs relief as we share comments from far and wide on recent Press Pros topics…culinary choices from the deep woods, birthdays and Don Larsen, and why do we play the National Anthem before every sporting event?
In particular, our recent post on squirrel hunting brought readers and new respondents (no pun intended) out of the woods:
“I really enjoyed that story because it brought back a lot of memories of hunting with my dad and granddad. First-time reader of your website. Lots of fun.” … Dale Wagoner
“The photo you ran with the story looked pretty good (above). My mom used to pressure cook the squirrel quarters, then dip them in batter and deep fry them done. Probably my favorite meal ever with home fries, some of those biscuits, and gravy…of course!” … Bob (Catlettsburg, KY)
“People think you’re crazy when you tell them but squirrel is the best of all wild meats to eat. It’s like eatin’ grain-fed beef from a tree.” … Adam
“Never read Press Pros before. Great story. My dad used to carry a .410 on the corn picker to shoot squirrels.” … Tim Jerrell
“I won’t say they taste like chicken. They’re BETTER than chicken. My absolute favorite meal.” … Mike Chilcoate
The tongue-and-cheek blog about how much or little birthdays mean to us brought favorable, and several personal, responses:
“I actually was born on the same day Don Larsen pitched the perfect game…Oct. 8, 1956. Next year let’s get together with Larsen and celebrate.” … Chuck Connor (not the Rifleman)
“I thought you’d be interested to know that my mom used to tell me that I was born the day John Glenn landed on the moon.” … Gary Nicholson
“Your article made me remember that at my house there were six kids and I didn’t know I had a birthday until I started school.” … George Karras
Nate Jenkins questioned in his September 25th column about the tradition of playing the National Anthem before every sporting event…and why? Others wrote to comment:
“It’s hard to think of the Star Spangled Banner as just political “propaganda”, as Jenkins wrote. It’s best thought of as a moment of recollection and appreciation for our country and those who paid the price to forge and preserve it. Why do we think of everything in political perspective?” … Wm. Best
(Ed. Note: You make good point about America and political perspective. And largely because the politicians have trained us to think that way.)
“The best thing I took from the article was how the tradition was started in 1918. I had never heard that, and frankly thought there was no official national anthem until the 40s.” … David
(Ed. Note: David, you’re on to something here. The lyrics were written back in 1814 by Francis Scott Key and it became somewhat popular nationally after the words were set to the tune of a popular English drinking song of the 19th century. It was only regarded as “national anthem” by branches of service until it was officially designated as such by the executive order of President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Finally, in 1931, Congress passed an act confirming the Star Spangled Banner as the national anthem and it was signed into law by President Hoover.)
“Nate Jenkins wrote, ‘If we prefer that our sports stars stick to what they do best (and it ain’t being Aristotle), then one simple fix to the problem of activist athletes would be to stop playing the national anthem before most major sporting events.’ I ask…is this not classic tail wagging the dog? C’mon man.” … Joe B
“The threat I see regarding American is that nothing seems sacred anymore. Anything goes, and we don’t respect anything with much conviction unless it’s personally beneficial.” … Dennis Sandberg (Columbus)
And finally, some words of encouragement for the effort (we think), with the one exception that we hear most frequently:
“You seem to paint with a broad brush and you do it well, everything from hunting stories 50-year-old stories about sports nostalgia. I only wish you’d spend the time and effort to see more of what’s out there beyond those counties north of I-70.” … Mike from Dayton
(Ed. Note: One of my best friends lives in Manhattan and he says the same thing about the New York Times coverage of high school sports. When they figure it out, maybe we will, too.)
“Greetings from Mesa, Arizona! I want to say that I really enjoy your publication and your coverage of the schools, etc., that you pen so well. Your material is interesting and the sidebar stories you throw in make for bonus interest. Thanks for all you do in your written commentary. It’s got to be a labor of love and your devotion to the high schools you highlight week to week. Great coverage and style. On a side note, I’m from the Dayton area having grown up in north Dayton and went to school at Kiser High School. I played basketball in there from ’54-’57 and then went on to Arizona State and played basketball for the Sun Devils. I have a grandson who presently plays football and basketball at Vandalia Butler. So again, thanks, and I always look forward reading your coverage.” … Bob Howard (Mesa, Az.)
