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By Ron Fitzwater
It seems like nearly every week I am always on the negative
side of things when I type out this column. In fact, I was recently
asked if I saw any light in anything, and it made me think.
All the time I hear people say that they wish the media would
concentrate more on the good things than the bad and that they
want the positive stories, but I have to wonder: do they really
mean it, or is it, as I suspect, just something they say to
excuse their secret desire to hear the dirt that they know is
out there?
There is plenty of good news out there you know? It is even
in our little part of the world. In just the last month we have
told you about several things that make it nicer to live in
Ashe County.
There was the story, just last week, about 14-year-old Ashe
County Middle School student Anna Wooten who is going to represent
not just North Carolina but Ashe County in the Scripps National
Spelling Bee in May. Also from the middle school came the story
of Sherrie Hines being named Region 7 Teacher of the Year and,
maybe more importantly named Teacher of the Year by her peers
at ACMS. Both of these stories remind us about what a fantastic
job Bobby Ashley and his staff are doing with the future of
Ashe County.
And what about Jan Caddell and all the folks at WKSK becoming
the 2009 Small Business of the Year as they begin their second
50 years of serving Ashe County? Longevity and faithful service
is certainly good news.
In the last month, while worries over near 14 percent county
unemployment, our children were visited by famed musician David
Holt, who though busy, took time to pass on some of his knowledge
to aspiring young musicians before gifting us all with yet another
stellar performance, all due to the hard works of the Ashe County
Arts Council, who by the way recently hosted the Young at Art
youth exhibit, showcasing up and coming Ashe artists.
Over the last weeks we have seen Ashe County sports heroes inducted
into the county sports hall of fame, shed a tear for happy memories
as Rock Bottom played their final show and swelled with pride
as members of Ashe County High School's Technology Student Association
won top prize in the state for their animatronic dragon, which
moves and will tell stories.
We see folks trying to bring industry to the county through
green technologies, small businesses opening and, with spring,
came the donation to the county of two Leviton facilities, which
county officials can use as bait to lure new industries here.
Yes, good news is there if you look for it but it is often overshadowed
by the grim things that seem to befall so many. And yes it,
is hard to see the good when so many are in need and hurting.
But for today, as we enjoy Spring and prepare to welcome Summer
and all the people and predicaments it brings, let's just dwell
on all the good that is Ashe County and leave our darker thoughts
for another day.
Today, put your face in the sun and hum a tune and maybe, just
maybe, go visit a neighbor.
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