I don’t know how many of you noticed the ad in the past week’s newspaper about the citywide garage sale, but it is coming up soon and you need to get your information to me to secure your place on the map. The cost again this year is a mere $10, which gets you an “official participant” sign, your address and a description of what you are selling on the map in all three of our papers, and publicity for the whole shebang in larger area papers.
The Peabody Gazette-Bulletin will print hundreds of maps and they will be available in various businesses in town as well as at the participating garage sales. Visitors and local folks alike will be able to find you first because they will see at a glance that you have the best stuff!
The big event is April 24 and you need to have your information and money to me by the close of business on April 16 so that we can get the maps and listings in the papers the Wednesday before the sale. You should sign up and be a participant this year. It is lots of fun, you get to meet people who are out on the hunt for bargains, and you’ll end up with some extra cash as well as space in your closet or basement.
Forms to sign up for the citywide event are available at the city building, Peabody State Bank, and Jackrabbit Hollow. Give me a call at the newspaper office, (620) 983-2185, if you have any questions.
According to my son-in-law, What’s His Name, IMG Production Company was in town Friday to add more footage of Peabody to its documentary, “Small Town, U.S.A.” They took advantage of the great spring weather to film some shots in front of the HUB, in Santa Fe Park, and Flint Hills Gypsies. They were in town in February to film a segment about the hot rod program at Peabody-Burns High School. It doesn’t get any better than this.
The documentary has a Web site and a Facebook page that feature shots and comments galore about Peabody and other small towns around the country. Check it out and see Peabody’s famous Gary Jones leaning on his former “open” sign in front of Mayesville Mercantile. Peabody is the backdrop for the opening credits and some of the narratives. In addition, the families of Preston and Lisa Hodges, Tom and Tina Spencer, and Chris and Jennifer Young can be seen throughout the film.
Many of us are on information overload this week following the death March 27 of 19-month-old Vincent Hill. Vincent was the son of Ricky Hill and the grandson of Jim and Gail Myers, all of Peabody. The boy’s mother and her boyfriend, both of whom are charged with contributing to his death, also have local connections. It is a sad day for the many extended family members and friends on each side of the issue. Someone on an Internet page dedicated to the child this past weekend contributed this quote, “The death of a baby is like a stone cast into the stillness of a quiet pool; the concentric ripples of despair sweep out in all directions, affecting many, many people. De Frain, 1991.” Amen.
It is our job to report what is happening in our communities. We try hard to do that to the best of our ability; this situation is no different. What you read in our reports may not be what you want to hear. We have spent extra time and effort talking to authorities in Harvey County to be sure we get the information correct. We have not taken the information from other newspapers or media sources.
The case is evolving. It is going to be a long haul for everyone with even a nodding acquaintance to any of the people involved. Peabody is a good community with caring people. We are good at circling the wagons and protecting our own.
In the weeks to come, please be cautious about what you say and whose reputation you disparage. All of the information is not available to us yet and speculation is just that — speculation. Remember, this affects “… many, many people.”
— Susan Marshall