Thanks to Rick and Vickie Turner for painting over the graffiti on the south wall of their grocery store. The message has remained in place for several months as the Turners tried to decide whether to wait for more evidence of who might have done it or just cover the message and move on.

I think they were hoping that the people who spray-painted the “Love is Unstoppable” message would be exposed and would appear in orange community service vests to repair the damage. For a while, I thought they might be right. I even had a couple of messages at the newspaper office giving me names. I reported all of the information to the authorities in hopes that something might gel. However, sometimes things don’t go the way the good guys hope it will. Sometimes the slugs and losers get ahead. I hate it when that happens, don’t you?

But “anonymous” is usually the by-word of those who wish to do damage, but do not want to be held accountable. They don’t have the presence of their convictions to put their names or faces to their handiwork. Cowards are famous for taking this sort of stand. They do it all the time.

They tear up what others build, while contributing nothing to the common good. They serve little purpose but to ruin, destroy, or slander. And it is usually under cover of darkness or anonymity. It would be satisfying to know that those who did the damage had to make it right, but that is seldom the case.

In the meantime, the rest of us should note our appreciation to the Turners for helping our community put its best face forward during all of our upcoming community events. I am glad we can celebrate without that reminder in the background.

Many thanks to the individuals and groups who actually contribute something positive to what we will do in Peabody in the coming months. To USD 398, American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, VFW, Civil War re-enactors, Peabody churches, Peabody-Burns High School sophomore class, PHS and PBHS reunion classes, City of Peabody, Peabody Main Street Association, Peabody Economic Development, Doyle Valley Farmers Market, July Fourth Fest Society, and sponsors of the Sleepy Creek Concert Series, the biggest portion of the community appreciates what you do.

You are the reason our community still is here!

— Susan Marshall