Batavia, its residents generate many stories over 10 years

Ten years ago, the Daily Herald called me and asked me if I would be interested in writing a column about Batavia. At the time I was writing for another area paper but I had been there for seven years and I was ready for a change.

My interview at the Daily Herald proved to be entertaining, especially for the editors there.

Wanting to impress them, I drove to our first meeting with Velcro curlers in my hair. I pulled them out in the parking lot, did a last-minute style and checked it in the rear view mirror before I went in.

One editor was kind enough to ask me if I wanted to remove the curlers from the back of my head, since they might appear in my picture. As hard as I tried, I couldn't convince her that it was a new fashion trend for women over 40.

I love Batavia, and I didn't think it would be hard to write about something that I love. However, I did get a little worried that I might not be able to come up with enough stories to cover two columns a week.

Luckily, I was given the Celebration of Lights as my first column. Interviewing veteran newspaper woman Ruth Johnson and her husband, Don, proved to be just the right assignment for a neophyte features columnist. They gave me the behind-the-scenes mishaps of hanging thousands of lights. The column was easy to write and fun to read.

Writing two columns a week for the Daily Herald for 10 years equates to over 1,000 columns. I thought it might be interesting to share some of the behind-the-scenes stories of my favorite columns, parts of the stories that never really made it into print.

I guess my favorite column was the story about Mr. and Mrs. Augie Moser. When I was contacted about the story, these two Holmstad retirement community residents were engaged -- at the ages of 97 and 93.

I chuckled when a friend told me the pair "had to get married." Somehow that phrase had a different connotation for someone from my generation.

When I called for the interview, the only time available was Friday night. My husband and I had planned to take our boys to the football game. I told them to go ahead and I would meet them there in an hour.

Two and a half hours later, I was still at the Holmstad, listening to two people tell me the story of their lives and how they had come together.

They met while sitting at the bedsides of their respective spouses, who both suffered from Alzheimer's.

When their spouses passed away, they found comfort in the company of each other, watching Bulls games on TV in the community room.

I learned a lot that night. I learned that some people have a hard time living alone and need companionship. I learned that the secret to long life was only looking forward and not dwelling on the painful moments of the past.

A joke a day was also a constant in Augie's life. Most importantly, I learned that you are never too old to hold someone dear. When Augie told me of some of the things that they enjoyed together I realized that he had actually gone through a courtship before engagement.

When I asked if he had courted her to win her hand, Augie replied, "And I will continue to court her for the rest of my days." I'll never forget that moment.

One of my very first interviews was the hardest. I was scheduled to interview a young boy who had recently skated in front of thousands in Toronto during a hockey tournament. I interviewed him on a school bus during a field trip. No matter what I asked, he responded with a "hmmm," or an "I don't know." After about 20 minutes of non-responses, I said in frustration, "Tell me one thing about the weekend that really was special."

He responded, "When we went to breakfast the next day, everyone at the restaurant got their own little bottle of maple syrup." That was exactly how the column went down, complete with the "hmmms."

Of course, the young pre-schooler who could identify every truck on the road and every tool in sight kept me moving. We met on the playground, a place where he would feel comfortable. As his mother watched, he ran from one piece of playground equipment to another. When I asked him, breathlessly what tool I should keep in my kitchen drawer, he responded, "power tools."

Our students in Batavia have accomplished some amazing things, especially in the area of community service. I love doing stories about these kids, but sadly, I can't include everyone.

I do remember one little girl, 6 or 7, who told me of how sad she was at home, and all about the problems in her life. She liked coming to school because no one cried and no one yelled.

I wrote about the card she was working on just to get her name in the paper. There are some kids among us who need a little hug now and then. Sometimes their name in newsprint can do just that.

From a reader standpoint, the columns that generated the most interest involved dogs.

I received my biggest e-mail response when I wrote about my previous dog being turned away from the groomer who had groomed her for 17 years. My dog was feeling her age and couldn't stand for a long time.

Many readers spoke with their groomers who then offered their services. I found a caring young woman who took on the task of caring for my dog in her senior years, and I was so grateful.

The second highest e-mail count went to my column about picking up after dogs. It was a dirty story, but many readers had stories that topped it.

I have tried to be a good listener in the community as well as a writer. When there have been comments about the paper's content or the service, I have called my editor.

More than once, I have talked with the paper about the cost of obituaries and the paper has made the decision to print death notices for free. Sadly, some people still don't feel that it is necessary to notify the Daily Herald, since it is presumed to be the paper for the new people who come to town. Many old timers, like myself, read this paper.

For me it seems like the past 10 years have just flown by so quickly. I felt 10 years ago that it was a privilege to write for this paper, about the amazing people, young and old who make up our town. I still feel that way.

Thank you for e-mailing me with story ideas. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to write about Batavia and those who make our community the special place that it is.