I'm sure either through my last posting or your own reading and viewing that you all know of the slayings of the family in Beason Illinois.
There hasn't been anything new to report but that doesn't keep some outlets from running stories saying that there is nothing new to report.
On Friday when our sheriff advised that the press conferences were discontinued until there was something relevant to report, the out of town media went home.
This weekend had a lot of other activity in town. But since it didn't bleed, no one stayed around to cover the good this community has to offer.
On Friday night and Saturday morning, hundreds of people were involved in an ALS fundraiser for a young mother of two who has ALS. It was a sad affair and a redeeming affair as I was able to report on how our town has collectively gathered to try and help this young lady and her family as they fight this disease. I have been covering this young lady and her family for over a year and although I always get emotional when I talk to her, I also get emotional in a positive way when I see how many there are of us whenever she needs help.
I was the only press that covered this fundraiser.
On Sunday we had our second annual Together for Lincoln event.
This year over 1100 hundred volunteers of all ages worked together on 104 projects in the community.
There were people cleaning homes for the elderly and fixing windows and doors. Houses were painted in a day as a dozen team members took to brush. Three wheelchair ramps were built and porches and decks received repairs.
Some volunteers checked smoke alarms while others ran to grocery stores and restocked shelves of shut-ins who don't have a chance to get out.
Youngsters raked and swept while others walked the parks and streets picking up trash.
And when it was over, almost a thousand strong filled the local university's chapel to join in song and praise for the "Boss" of the entire day's labors.
I'm not sure but I believe I was again the only media source present.
Today is the funeral of the five slain victims and the LDN will not be there. I'm sure all the other media that disappeared for the weekend will be there with cameras running in hopes of getting pictures of a family distraught with grief and sadness.
Over the weekend there were several attempts to get hold of me by a network in New York. I decided I was too busy covering the good in this community to help outsiders interested in only covering our tragedies. I imagine they were able to find someone else who had time to talk but it wasn't then and it never will be me talking on the air to any of these people. The media make me wonder how they sleep at night delving day after day into what is wrong with us while seldom spending a moment on what is right.
I have had a lot of people ask me how I have been doing lately. I think some are nervous that all this activity might produce another spell' in me.
Others probably worry that because I'm an emotional man that maybe this has been hard on me.
I am all right and I ask well-wishers to direct their worries to others who really need their concerns and prayers. I have been blessed to see the good as well as the bad.
It wasn't hard. All I had to do was look.
For those of you who would like to read a bit about the other side of our community you can go to this Monday, Sept.28 edition of www.theldn.com and read the stories for yourselves.
Freelance writer, columnist, author and writing coach, ex-Chicagoan Mike Fak presently resides in Central Illinois. More information about Mike's services are available at his home website www.mikefak.com
Mike currently writes primarily humor columns for searchwarp bi-weekly and is the managing editor of www.lincolndailynews.com
Mike now offers a 26,000 word e-book on making money as a freelance writer for only $10.00 at this page. http://www.mikefak.com/id45.html
Interesting perspective, Mike. I've occasionally been close to events that were covered in the media, and every time it has amazed me how wrong they get it.
I always end up wondering if the media can't accurately cover a simple story that I've witnessed with my own eyes, how many other stories that I see covered by the media are also inaccurate?
it's always heartwarming to hear people are being helped. i can't imagine how much more mobile those who needed ramps will be now. the future of the world should sound more like your article than it unfortunately does.
What an inspiring, uplifting read, Mike. I'm not interested in the media nor in commenting on the media because they no longer report news fairly.
I read your article from your own paper and it is touching. It also lends hope. We all have it in us...your community was able to get the ball rolling. I pray that all other communities could do the same. Little like a barn-raising! Think I'll investigate it from my end for our township.
Thank you for sharing. Maybe in posting this idea, you will see more and more people and communities getting involved. A little like Pay it Forward.
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