BEST READ I: If you still have our Sunday paper and missed Bob Davis’ column, get it out, go to page 3E. If you’ve already read it, it’s worth a second look . . . really.
Bob is our executive editor and his defense of The Star -- and of all newspapers in general -- was about as good as it gets. Readers often mix opinion with news in their judgment of a newspaper’s daily efforts.
Our pages, as all newspapers do, feature both.
There is a difference between opinion and straight news reporting and Mr. Davis did a terrific job of telling you about the differences, how they work in print.
BEST READ II:
If you missed it, and if you don’t have the paper, go to our website and read Brandy Ayers’ Sunday column of June 3.
Brandy, publisher of The Star and the Big Chief, wrote of our newspaper in a time of problems for the print media. It was one of the best I’ve ever read, one of those pieces that says “I wish I had written this one.”
One paragraph is a beautiful ode to what we do:
“As long as there are mothers to cry at their daughters’ weddings, as long as there are fathers to swell with pride at their sons’ exploits on the football field, as long as people fear crime, are suspicious of local politicians, cheer for the economic boost of a new industry, want to know what’s for sale at the mall or mourn the death of beloved citizens, as long as people want to share with others, there will be a need for someone to connect them.”
That sings.
If you love our freedoms, put that one on the fridge door and the next time you get a bit ticked at “The Red Star,” read it.
Brandy, this past Sunday, had another excellent read. This one was his take on the 60th year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign as Great Britain’s sovereign. It was a delight.
And, in the interest of full disclosure, I don’t get paid one extra penny when I take laptop to table and praise our editors. I seldom do, so in there is some truth that as an old “middle-of-the-roader,” I disagree more than I applaud.
The claim by some that the only reason I’ve been around so long is “The Red Star” needs a “token redneck” and I fit the job description. That may have some merit.
Cheaper than flowers, too.
With that in mind, “Chef T’s” on U.S. 431 (across from Anniston Memorial Gardens) has been added to my “where it’s at.”
I was no stranger there in the years it was MacChristies, and wasn’t all that happy when it changed hands.
Not to worry. It was sort of “down” in the beginning, but Tony Boles – “Chef T” – is just getting better and better. Partners with Tony are Carlton Byers and Roy Heine.
George Smith can be reached at 256-239-5286 or e-mail: gsmith731@gmail.com
