News of our world
Dear Editor:
A while back my wife and I watched an engaging movie entitled “News of the World.” Set five years after the end of the Civil War, it tells the tale of an itinerant ex-Confederate captain and one-time newspaper publisher Jefferson Kyle Kidd played by Tom Hanks. To earn a living, Kidd travels from small town to small town on a buckboard through the vast expanses of Northwest Texas — sharing the news of presidents and queens, glorious feuds, devastating catastrophes, and adventures from the far reaches of the globe.
His audiences throw dimes into a tin cup and gather eagerly to listen as he reads from his carefully kept newsprint. The innocent joy and pleasure seen on the listeners’ faces — some likely illiterate — is palpable. There’s much more to the story line but those scenes reminded me of just how lucky we are to have our own weekly newspaper, the Methow Valley News, available for subscription or purchase, to read about the news of our world.
Don Nelson, owner and publisher of the Methow Valley News, is a fearless newsman with many years of writing and publishing under his belt. The talented, award-winning reporters he’s assembled untangle even the most complicated stories with remarkable clarity. Every week, several regular columnists portray their versions of life in the valley through their own unique perspectives. Even the ad copy and layout turns out to be colorful and eye-catching in support of local businesses and organizations.
I’ve been a subscriber for many years but you can consider this letter my dime tossed into the tin cup. Thanks, Methow Valley News for bringing us our news of the world.
Jim Brennan
Twisp
Support the district
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to publicly show my support to our students, staff, teachers, administrators and school board of the Methow Valley School District after the incidents occurring at the school complex Feb. 2. These are our children, our neighbors and our friends. I am curious if anyone actually talks to their children about how they feel about masks and school? I do, and often. Sure, my two kids aren’t fans of wearing a mask, but they are happy to just be at school in-person full-time with their friends.
Speaking of friends, I have a number who work at the school in various capacities from classified staff, teachers, para-professionals and more. They strive daily to make things as comfortable for the kids as they can considering the rules and regulations for in-person learning, but many feel like they are treading in what seems like shark-infested waters. People are angry at them for circumstances and rules that are flat-out of their power on a district level, sadly since being on the front lines they are receiving the brunt of the blame for having to enforce them. If you do not like what is happening being angry at them isn’t helping one bit. The rules are at a state level, not the district. Directing that energy to the Legislature at Olympia and your representatives would be more productive than misdirected anger at those in the community.
As a lifelong member of the Methow Valley community, I will stand by the students and staff of the school district and will support them in these challenging times.
Erin J. Bosco
Carlton
