We’re late in getting the latest in reader response to recent articles, and that’s on us. But like always…we wouldn’t do this, or couldn’t do this…without you. Enjoy, and thank you again.
It’s been almost six weeks since the last Reader Speaks page, owing to the pace of things on the playing fields and courts, so we apologize in not sharing with you some of best and interesting reader responses received from far and near.
To wit, there were several opinions shared regarding our October 6 column, entitled, There’s Playoff Football, And Then…There’s Playoff Football, where we detailed the difference in this year’s watered-down process compared to champions from past years.
“To whom it concerns, this may be the best, and truest, article concerning the playoffs I’ve ever seen. It paints a very clear picture of contrast between what the OHSAA football championship means currently compared to what it used to be. Very revealing and nicely done.” … Keith Skeens
“I know it’s popular and political to lump everyone together now and say that they have the same opportunity, but this article clearly shows that that’s not the case. If the expansion of the playoffs is an attempt to just expose more schools to the process that’s really pretty phoney. And if it’s about increasing revenues through more games and more ticket sales, that’s desperate. Neither is a good thing for kids.” … Stoney Burcham
“At some point don’t you have to appreciate the business theory of that which doesn’t change has no chance of getting better? I say give it a chance.” … Bill Bectoris
(Ed. Note: I’m all for change as long as we change change the calendar to include a 13th month. At the rate we’re going we’re going to need it.)
Our October 2nd column about baseball cards of our youth brought this response all the way from Salisbury, Maryland.
“Your site was shared by a friend who’s a card enthusiast and I wanted to tell you that I remember enjoying many of the same experiences that you detailed about cards, players, and duplicates. I grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia, so the Pittsburgh Pirates were always the coveted cards and the 1959 Topps cards were some of the nicest of all time – loved Bill Virdon, Smoky Burgess, Vern Law, and ‘Bobby’ Clemente. Unfortunately, you did get a lot of same player (duplicates) and I wondered if anyone else got as many Turk Lown cards (White Sox) as I did. Thank you for restoring a wonderful memory.” … Ron Morehart (Salisbury, Md)
(Ed. Note: I got my share of Omar ‘Turk Lown’, who turned out to be a pretty good card since he played for so long. His ’59 Topps was beautiful with that red background. By the way, he got his nickname because of his fondness for turkey.)
We also got marks for our venturing south on October 11th to do our story on the Symmes Valley Vikings.
“Thanks so much for doing the story on Symmes Valley football. I have relatives in the area who emailed the link to me. The subject line read, ‘You won’t believe what’s on the internet’! Great job and nice of you to remember the old players and coaches.” … Diane Baldwin
“Appreciated your effort to come south and write about river football. There are no sites like yours in the area and I’m sure it was a boost to everyone who read it. Very classy. I love Press Pros.” … Richard Short
By far and away…our recent story on passing of the Fulks family dog, Margie, got the largest response…and from a lot of people who mourn the loss of their own ‘Margie’.
“Sonny, you start my day with your articles, and I thank you for that! I so understood your feelings about saying “goodbye” to your dog! Been there, and you were right on. Just wanted you to hear a “positive” today from a “lover” not a “hater”! Keep up the good work.” … Sue Kaufman
“We’re both very sorry for the loss of Margie – condolences to her loving family. Short and sweet, like Margie.” … Mike Mescher (Northridge High School)
“You and I have been through some times together, and I wish I could have been there for you when you lost Margie. She sounded like a real member of your family.” … Mike Sando, Fellow Phi (Scottsdale, Az.)
“I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the wonderful eulogy to your Frenchie, Margie. It was sent to me by a friend from our local pet rescue group. I cried when you wrote about how she looked up at you when you said goodbye. Losing a pet and friend like that is such a hard thing and I hope her memory will sustain you. Again, thank you for a wonderful read and a reminder that we should all appreciate puppies like Margie just a little bit more.” … Ellen Goetz (Toledo)
“You gave her a second chance. Otie (my dog) was found in a trash bag by my daughter as a two-week old.” … Mark Znidar