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Show Here are some Valentines for special folks I guess it ought to tell you something some-thing when no one thinks you want to do something just to be nice. For example, when I started collecting ideas for this column, I went around and tried to explain the concept to some of the people in the office. "It's simple," I explained. "I just want to give some Valentines to people who have done good things." "Oh," replied one. "You mean something like, 'Here's a Valentine to Geneva for making the air so clean.'" "No, no. That would be mean and sarcastic." "Exactly." "Well. I want to do something nice." And he just walked away laughing. laugh-ing. Another response was the same. "You want to do something nice?" another colleague asked in disbelief. "Since when?" Anyway, I'm getting the idea that most people think I write this column just so I can show how cynical and sarcastic I can be. And that's just not true. I have a tender side and I figure Valentine's Day is as good a the editor's column By MARC HADDOCK j time as any to show it. So here's a Valentine to a few of the many people who deserve one. First, a great, big Valentine goes out to all those folks who over the past few days of freezing cold have demonstrated the warmth of human hu-man kindness. Everyone who had helped jump-start jump-start a car, or pushed a stranger out of a snow bank, or shoveled someone's sidewalk without being asked to, or helped bail out a neighbor's flooded basement deserves de-serves more than this Valentine, but this is probably all he or she's going to get. And while we're talking about duty in times of duress, let's not forget the city crews who have helped in similar cases. People may complain about the cold and the snow, but these tough times bring out the best in people. I would like to give a Valentine to all of the people who are working to save the Pageant of the Arts. This is a tough job with no pay. But a special Valentine goes to Betty Spencer who has returned to the Pageant Board after finding a sense of personal relief in retiring from that kind of strenuous activity. activ-ity. Over the years Betty has put enough of herself into the Pageant to warrant a rest, but when the call came to help, she responded. Betty is on my short list of favorite favor-ite people in the world. If I could have talked her out of going back on active duty, I would have. But I'm glad she's back. I'd like to give a Valentine to the volunteers who make city recrea tion programs work all those coaches who spend time, money and effort helping boys and girls learn the value of good sportsmanship. sportsman-ship. A lot of times these little league coaches get accused of pushing too hard or worrying too much about winning. But I've been around enough to know most are more concerned about the kids learning todo their best than winning. The city recreation programs would not be able to function without with-out these volunteers. I'd like to give a Valentine to the people I work with. I know this is hard to believe, but I can be tough to get along with, but they all work at it. I don't know how we would keep putting this publication out week after week. And finally, I'd like to give a Valentine to Geneva for keeping our air clean and fresh without anybody asking. (Okay, okay. I'm just kidding, so don't all you Geneva-boosters grab your telephones and start calling. I just couldn't let a chance pass by to slip in one cheap shot. (What can I say? It's my nature.) |