HOMETOWN HEROS
Read about a woman who finds local community heroes

          For more than seven years my favorite column in our local newspaper is called Hometown Heroes. Each month a person in our community is honored as worthy of special mention. These articles tell about the individual, their philosophy of life with quotes from friends and family as to why this person has been inspirational. I love having positive news and real people to look up to, rather than the usual dismal reports we get on TV and the larger city papers. The author creates a meaningful moment for her readers, as well as the monthly hero, in Hometown Heroes.
          Susan Knickerbocker had a dream one night describing in detail the format, what needed to be in this column, even the name. She promptly paid a visit to the local paper and met with the editor. She laid out her ideas for him, and then departed thinking that she had left the whole project in his hands. A couple of days later, after the newspaper staff had reviewed the proposed idea, the editor called Susan saying the project was accepted. Would she please write the articles? Susan hadn't done any writing before, but she took on the challenge and has been blessing our community with these special articles since then.
          Susan's upbringing didn't include many positive role models. She realized early on that she needed to find them for herself if she was going to have any in her life. She would read children's books that talked about famous people who have inspired others. These books were basic to her need for finding uplifting persons of character to look up to.

          The intention of Hometown Heroes is to "inspire to lead lives of excellence," says Susan. A local person is honored, yet Susan feels that the information is more for the reader than the nominated hero. When she is sorting through received information about the hero, her selection process is determined by thinking about the reader, and what inspiration and encouragement they will receive to continue to do their best in the world.
          Susan sends perspective heroes an extensive questionnaire to fill out before she interviews them. She asks for names of contacts who know him/her to whom she sends additional information sheets for collecting supplementary data and useable quotes. She then finds an emerging theme for each hero, and the article begins to unfold. It takes her 60-100 hours preparation time for each article.
          The community nominates people for this column. To date she has a backlog of 350 names of perspective heroes. The newspaper normally picks the next candidate. Once a year the paper features a high school student. For this article Susan will send out queries to the local public, private high schools, and home schooling programs, asking for nominations.
Susan looks for the philosophies of the heroes. She likes to expand on their views of life and how they choose to live in the world. She also gently explores their weaknesses as part of the human spirit, and acknowledges their personal challenges. How a person chooses to work with their challenges speaks about them as much as what they do with their strengths.

          Susan receives a very nominal remuneration for this writing. To date the money is donated towards making a plaque with the names of the heroes on it, which will be kept at the local library.
          I asked her what she personally receives from doing this labor of love. She says she receives inspiration from learning about others. For her these role models from our community can keep her focused on the good in people who are like the rest of us - not just the famous ones throughout history. She also receives feedback periodically on how the articles have affected someone's life. She knows she is on the right track when others are receiving inspiration to continue to live their lives with excellence.
          Even if you don't have this inspiring monthly column in your local newspaper, think about who you would consider a hometown hero for yourself. When we look around our community and family with those eyes, we may be surprised who we find in our midst.

          Please send me a story where you have created a meaningful moment for someone special in your life. Contact me at info@mark-the-moment.com