Archive for the 'Thanks' Category
August 31st, 2009 by Mike Redding
There are a number of things we do differently on this website than the traditional newsie sites. For one thing we won’t bog you down with car wrecks and the controversy de jour.
Another difference is we don’t tell you an important story one day and then drop it so you never see a follow-up or the progression of how one life or story affects other lives.
The story about a soldier’s death and burial in Arlington National Cemetery turned into two weeks of actions and reactions and culminated in the “Gratitude Wave” witnessed on-line from coast to coast and in military tents through Iraq to Afghanistan. It was a stunning… and you made it happen.
We asked one of the soldiers in Iraq to ask his fellow soldiers for reactions… and to tell us his honest thoughts about the “Gratitude Wave.”
Cody Fowler serving in Iraq.
It was in fact Cody Fowler’s reaction to “One Soldier’s Death” that got us at SASTP brainstorming and set the Gratitude Wave in motion. What follows is Cody Fowler’s thoughtful response which we received yesterday, Sunday, August 30, 2009.
Continue reading ‘Want to know if you make a difference?’
August 28th, 2009 by Mike Redding
I sat down to collect my thoughts and respond to all the well-wishers regarding Tuesday’s post about our efforts to make things work right here… and I’m stumped. I don’t know what to say to you all. I’m a journalist and a writer but mostly I’m an “sniffer.” I look and watch and read the tea leaves of human life, soaking in as much of a person or event as I can and then report back to you what I believe to be the truth.
Today I’m taking a whiff of me… and frankly I seem a little stunned. I was hoping I could come up with something clever to say thanks. But I keep coming back to your words, which seem more poweful to me than my own. Here is just a sample of what SASTP Nation said to me and Anna regarding our bringing on advertisers and making a go of things right here in good ole Carolina:
J. R. Love: in Belmont, NC: “…you might want to tell your sponsors to be ready for the FLOOD of new business from your readers.”
From Shirley H: “…you know that SASTP Nation will do everything we can to support you.”
From Mark J: In Cabarrus County, NC… “YOU HAVE JUST MADE MY DAY!!! I love it. I have been telling everyone what you have been up to!”
From Karen S: “You’re staying! That’s fantastic! I’ll spread the word. You and Anna and of course the ‘Lump’ are my favorite part of every morning. Keep those stories coming.”
Silvia P: in Columbia, SC… “I’ll spread the word and will help in any way that I can to have your site grow.”
From Mike: “I’m glad you and Anna have found a way to stay in the Carolinas. Can’t wait to see your new site and support your sponsors.”
From Pat B: “Tell the sponsors that I will support them no matter what it is they sell!! Your stories and Anna’s are the highlights of my days and I enjoy all of them from the touching ones to the ones that just make me laugh!”
From Charlie Jordan: “Thanks Mike and Anna for all you have done.. I do not believe you really know how you guys have touched so many hearts and souls…
To Quote the Pittsburgh Pirates theme song from the 70’s ‘WE ARE FAMILY!!!’”
(As an odd and uncanny “full circle” side note: I was in Pittsburgh’s old Three Rivers Stadium for Willie Stargell’s last game and retirement festivities. Willie is the man who adopted the Sister Sledge hit song “We are Family” in 1979, which then turned all of Pittsburgh into a family, as the Pirates were on their way to a championship season.)
Now back to earth… I’m in the process right now of talking with a handful of advertisers and I will share with them your thoughts. And you need to know that the advertisers who decide to join SASTP Nation are saying, “We want to provide SASTP readers and viewers with some relief from the cynical world. We want to be part of the solution!”
So thanks to each of you! You have inspired me once again.
Onward and upward… MR
July 17th, 2009 by Mike Redding
Come meet me and my wife, Anna, and our baby boy tomorrow (Saturday) morning at the Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast in downtown Charlotte. Starts at 8 AM on The Square at Trade & Tryon. I expect we’ll arrive around 9 AM.
Your five bucks goes to help a great cause, “Firefighters’ Burned Children’s Fund.“ Enjoy some delicious pancakes and ooh and ahh over Lumpalicious! (I’m pathetic aren’t I?)
See you there… MR
Here are the details straight from the invitation:
8 AM on the Square at Trade & Tryon in the center of uptown Charlotte.
The Center City Green Market is proud to present our Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast to benefit the Firefighters’ Burned Children’s Fund. This yearly favorite is back again. Charlotte Firefighters will be on site cooking delicious pancakes for only a $5.00 suggested donation, with all proceeds benefiting the Firefighters’ Burned Children’s Fund!
Reid’s Fine Foods is supplying all ingredients and equipment for the breakfast, our farmers are supplying our fresh blueberries and firefighters donate the labor for cooking so every penny goes to the Burned Children’s Fund.
Your $5.00 donation goes to help NC Firefighter’s Burned Children Fund. You will receive a pancake stack, your choice of toppings, juice and/or coffee. Tables will be available for guests to sit and eat at their leisure. There will also be “Big Red Trucks” on site.
The Firefighters’ Burned Children Fund is a non-profit organization developed by area firefighters to support burn survivors and to prevent burn injuries before they occur. The Firefighters’ Burned Children Fund promotes the involvement of fire departments and fire service organizations that are interested in working within their communities and with other participants of the Fund in reducing the number and the severity of burn injuries and fatalities. More information is available at www.ffbcf.org.
July 15th, 2009 by Mike Redding
I went to say goodbye to my old boss yesterday. I punched the wrong address into my GPS and ended up miles from the funeral home. I arrived 15 minutes late. Afterward so many WCNCers came up to say hello I missed paying my respects to the family. When I realized they weren’t exiting through the front door of the funeral home I tried to find them. They were gone.
When I got to my car I realized I had locked the keys inside. There are days when I feel like a 5-year-old trying to assemble a space shuttle.
So excuse me while I say goodbye to Stu Powell here and now.
The man who conceived the “Carolina Traveler” show and unleashed me on you all each Saturday night, died of cancer four days ago.
Stu Powell was one heck of an interesting boss. In a contract negotiation he would play good cop-bad cop… by himself! He was boiling hot one minute and cool as rain the next. He would tell me how much he loved me and my work and then lean across the desk and say rather loudly, “You’re crazy if you think I can pay you that much!” Then he’d smile and say, “How’s your son?” It was maddening.
But he had this crazy idea that Mike Redding and Andy Benton could romp all over the Carolinas telling stories about people and places and that you would watch. And he was right. It was Stu Powell who handed the gift of “Carolina Traveler” to us all.
He might have made me crazy at times but I cared deeply for the man and his wife Cindi. Stu deserved to live until he was 100. He was boundless with energy until the cancer crushed it. Cancer is the greatest thief.
My heart goes out to Cindi. She lost a husband and her best friend. Their girls, Wende and Julie, lost a dad and a guide.
I’ll leave you with this… my fondest memory of Stu Powell: 2003 was a rough year for me. I had a few life altering personal events including the loss of my dear friend, Bob Knowles, to cancer. A few days after Bob’s funeral Stu walked over to my desk in the newsroom and knelt on one knee. He softly asked me how I was doing. I hadn’t slept a whole night through in several months. I was drained. I didn’t even know how to answer his question. I just shook my head back and forth and stared off into space mumbling something about how I was doing fine. He put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Why don’t you take a few weeks off. This will all be here when you get back. Take whatever time you need, I insist.”
Thanks, Stu… I’ll miss you.
MR
June 19th, 2009 by Mike Redding
Saying “You Rock” is cheesy and corny… it’s like cheddar popcorn actually… anyway as stupid as that sounds it’s true. True and stupid. That should make you feel special. Your farmers market suggestions are plentiful!
Anyway, I was wrapped up with family all day… had a blast with my big sister Rosie, her husband Jody and their daughter MEEEEEEMERS (Maria), so I didn’t get my blog written for you on Dori Sanders Peach Stand.
But I’ll write it Saturday and post it then. I’m also going to take all of your veggie stand/farmers markets and make a reference list for everyone.
Okay, I’m off to bed. Smelling some Zzzzzzs… MR
June 15th, 2009 by Mike Redding
I’m just starting to reply to the nearly 300 comments you all have made in the last two weeks.
I will get to every one of them… so check back to your comments every once in a while. I’m giving each of you a thoughtful and sometimes funny (inappropriate) reply!
Smelling the sarcasm… MR
