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Letter to the editor

Moving obituaries leaves more space to serve you

By JOE CHILDS
Published July 8, 2007

Did you see that photo 10 days or so ago of Helen and Bud Smock dancing? Totally cute. It stopped me, and probably several of you. Helen and Bud have been married -- get ready -- 70 years.

We call it Good for You. It's our roundup of achievers and people reaching important milestones. Such as 100th birthdays. I think everyone who turns 100 should get his or her picture in the paper.

Same goes for 50th wedding anniversaries. And 60th. And, of course, for a 70th. We don't see many of those.

The good news is that from now on we will have more space for Good for You, which is one of our most popular features. We also will have more room for news from your community and news about your neighbors.

That's because we are moving the obituaries out of this section after today. From now on, obits will be in section B. On Mondays, section B is called Monday Metro; other days, it's called Local & State.

We are moving the obits for several reasons, which I suspect you have read about in the editor's notes that have appeared in recent days. This change has a big impact on the section you are reading because moving the obits opens up substantial inside space.

So, this section will have more news. More features. More photos. And some other treats we've cooked up:

- We will have a daily calendar called Out & About. All you event organizers should get your information to Nova Beall, sbeall@sptimes.com 710 Court St., Clearwater, 33756. Call, 445-4221, fax: 445-4119.

- Nova is also the contact for Good for You. Again, this is a roundup of 100-plus birthdays; golden and higher anniversaries; achievements by young people, such as major scholarship awards, and Eagle Scout honors. Our plan is to publish a Good for You each Wednesday.

- Our local business roundup also will become a regular report. You are invited to send news of business expansions, new businesses, promotions and big contracts to Christina Cosdon, cosdon@sptimes.com 445-4154, same mailing address and fax as Nova's.

Here are some new features we plan to start:

- Wedding memories. We'll publish your photos from weddings of local people. To get this rolling, we need your help. See our invitation on Page 3.

- Oral histories. Many in our community have led interesting lives. We'll get recollections and present them to you, both in the paper and on our Web site, tampabay.com, where we will post both video and audio.

- Five questions for ... someone we think you should know. First up will be Helen and Bud Smock. Their answers to five questions about being married 70 years will be in this section later this week.

- We even will have a puzzle -- a sudoku -- most days.

We will be interested in hearing your reaction to all this. Write us at northpin@sptimes.com Write me at childs@sptimes.com or at the Court Street mailing address above.

[Last modified July 7, 2007, 20:30:34]