Jan 1, 2017 2 min read

I’ve been a loyal subscriber of the Observer-Reporter for over 25 years and read hundreds of letters to the editor, but this is the first time I’ve felt compelled to write.

I’m a 57-year-old dinosaur who starts her morning at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and the print edition of the Observer-Reporter. I get all my national news from the Internet or television, but I turn to the Observer for the local news, the council meetings,the school board news, the obituaries and the police beat. I was very upset this past week to see the features columnists, one by one, saying their goodbyes.

With all the craziness in the world today, we need the Erma Bombecks and Dave Barrys more than ever. I enjoyed Laura Zoeller’s farm stories, Kristin Emery’s random thoughts, and when I read Beth Dolinar’s farewell Friday morning, I just had to write.

I know this is a budget issue, and this letter won’t change anything. But I guess I wanted to let these fine people know they will be missed. They started many a morning with a laugh, and I think that’s something we need more of now, not less.

Betty Jasek

McMurray