Editor: This week I have gone on with life as usual, but in the back of my mind I can't forget the events of June 1, 2003. I spoke to my Uncle Bo the day before. I told him I would be graduating college at the end of the year. I told him I wanted a career in sports, and he said when I got there to make sure I got him tickets. He told me he would be traveling to California to see my mother, my sister and I, once he retired.
He will never see what my life is like in California. All I have now is the memory that my uncle loved me as if I spent every day with him, when I've lived in California for over 15 years. I have the card he sent me when I graduated high school to remind me of that every day. I remember my uncle's laugh, I can hear it in my head as I write this. I don't know how I remember this, but I do. It's a wonderful memory, and it lets me know that he continues to laugh in heaven.
It's hard to realize that one year ago Uncle Bo's life was stolen. I've spent the year pretending that the articles I've read were some kind of dream, an alternate reality, and Uncle Bo was really alive somewhere. I finally got the courage to read the coverage of the one-year anniversary, and my heart broke all over again. This heartbreak is complicated by the fact that my heart has been broken for years over the loss of my father, Edward Harrison, to drugs.
Uncle Bo was a shining light that calmed the hurt I felt from my father's absence. To have that light taken, Uncle Bo's wonderful heart and presence to those around him, only brought more hurt and left me in the dark. It will take a lot of time to heal and a lot of time for Uncle Bo's death to become a true reality, but to know that he was loved by so many and was such an inspiring presence in his community, gives me hope that I will one day find a peace in my heart when I hear his laughter in my memory.
-- Erika Harrison, Vallejo, Calif.
New center is realization of former mayor's dream
Editor: The grand opening of the Crescent Enrichment Center on May 27 was the result of the hard work of many volunteers. They worked hard on this vintage theater to make it an active, beautiful place where the residents of east Pasco could come to relive some of the past and participate in the future. The hall from the historic lobby to the meeting rooms is lined with movie posters of the past. The decor of the center makes visitors feel as if they are reliving the past and going to the media room to see one of the pictures that are advertised on the walls of the building.
This dream has been realized due to efforts of the late Mayor Charles McIntosh of Dade City. He was relentless in his desire for this Old Crescent Theatre to become a new center for all to enjoy. I would like to share the contents of two e-mails that I received from his daughter, Susan Bruno, and his niece, Cathy Brown.
Susan asked that I express their family's delight that this project has developed from her father's vision of providing senior services to the Dade City community to a dream realized. "I know that my father will be looking down upon all of you on Thursday with a beaming smile and a pat on the back for all of you doing a job well done."
From Cathy Brown: "Congrats and kudos on the new Dade City center. I know Uncle Charles is smiling down on you all for your persistence in seeing it through!"
-- Bill Aycrigg, President, CEO, CARES
Dastardly doggie deeds reveal moron conspiracy
Re: Arrogance of some local dog owners is amazing, June 6 letter.
Editor: In response, as one of your letter writer's defined most inconsiderate morons: When walking my dog, I have never once "pranced over (my) neighbors lawns with reckless abandon." My prancing years are long gone.
I'm astonished that the letter writer was able to discover our covert organization, Moron Dog Walkers of West Pasco or the MDWWP. Fortunately, when we are caught red-handed walking our dogs, our lame excuses - "She just won't go on my lawn, wink wink" and "Urine is harmless" - come directly from our official Moron Lame Excuse Book or the MLEB, providing our clever cover.
During our weekly meetings, we identify where the finest landscapes available are located so we can all swarm around in a urination frenzy. We're thinking of installing one of those take-a-number machines to keep us organized.
He so cleverly found out our pets' name, Fido. Yes, we all use the same pet name. That way when we carelessly, and without any regard for our beloved animal, "violently yank the leash to prevent (our) dogs from damaging (our) own turf" we can substitute a new Fido without missing a step.
We do appreciate the native tip about it being too cruel to subject a dog to the horrendous heat. We never would have thought to walk our dogs in the early morning or evening. Thank goodness no more midday sun!
-- Mark C. Middleton, Trinity
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