I greatly enjoy Amy Calder’s Saturday column, “Reporting Aside.” She gives a voice to ordinary, but important people who are members of our community, such as farmer Henri who sells vegetables under his tent on College Avenue, or Jeanette Gertloff, David Baker and Doris French, seniors living at Oak Grove.

How tickled they must feel to see themselves honored in the newspaper.

I also savor how Amy shares stories of how it was when she grew up. Her words paint pictures that trigger memories of how it was when we, also, grew up in days gone by.

I know that it isn’t healthy to live in the past, but memories are the bridge to who we are today. Reminiscing about a scene from when we were young, living in a different tempo from today can be cathartic. The sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and feelings that we picture in the movie theater of our minds can be like visiting our own personal museums.

This reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Three ghosts show him scenes from his past, present and future that evoke a positive change, and an opening of his heart to people around him.

I appreciate how Amy has empathy and compassion for people who live in Waterville, and how she helps us to remember the core and spirit of yesteryear. We are the past, and we are the present.

Linda Gerard Der Simonian

Waterville

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