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Highlands Today

Our Reporters' Favorite Stories Of 2007: Collecting Coats For Native Americans Warmed The Heart

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: January 1, 2008

SEBRING — We heard it often in school.
There are no dumb questions, only dumb answers.

So, when the editors asked each reporter at Highlands Today to write a column about their favorite story from 2007, two questions came immediately to mind: how to choose one from about 300 story choices, and when I did, would I then be able to express my feelings adequately?

A computer search of my stories brought back almost nothing but fond memories. I found what I was looking for almost right away.

My favorite article concerned Christmas giving and a family's amazing effort to collect, and then deliver, about 1,000 winter coats to Native Americans at an Indian reservation in Wounded Knee, S.D. Many of those recipients can't even afford the cost of propane to heat their homes.

Still, it was a tough choice. Every reporter has a specific "beat" and if you look at the small print on Page 2 of the paper, I'm listed as the Lake Placid and Community Events reporter.

Covering the small town atmosphere of Lake Placid is a real joy, but my favorite part of my job is that community reporter role.

Looking back over the year, my stories included scooter races, a lady who collected more than 200 Coke glasses, an inflatable cop designed to slow down speeders, an autograph collector who bought a Babe Ruth signed ball here, a man whose yard is covered with weeds to better attract butterflies and there even was that midnight stop to a bookstore in an attempt to understand Pottermania.

I spent an evening with a stargazers class from South Florida Community College, rode in a race car around Sebring International Raceway, witnessed a blessing of the animals ceremony, smiled with Toby's clowns, wrote about remote controlled boaters and R/C car drivers, plus covered orchid, bunny and quilter's groups.

I even watched the 18-year old 2007 Heartland Idol winner sign autographs after capturing the title.
The only time homesickness hit during my almost two year ( and counting) stay was when a contestant sang "Philadelphia Freedom" during Madonna and Elton John night at the Heartland Idol competition. Pleasant thoughts returned from a July 4th free concert by Sir Elton with hundreds of thousands at the foot of the Philadelphia Art Museum steps made famous by Rocky.

Not a bad year. Other reporters occasionally tease me about my work with features, although I prefer to call it the "party beat." Almost universally reporters want to cover politics, breaking and hard news. I too covered my share of traffic fatalities and fires in 2007.

So why do we do it? It's the passion of those interviewed that keeps me getting up for work on time. My favorite question is "Why?" Why so passionate? Why not something else? Why do you do it? Why, why and why?

And you never know what you'll hear when you ask. It's never a dumb answer, either.

But as I write these words, nobody seemed as caught up in the season or seemed as interesting as Betty Luckey. For real, true love and human interest, the work of the Luckey Family stands out.

For a more than a month, the family and friends worked tirelessly to collect coats and other goodies, including new heaters and toiletries for those who America has sometimes overlooked.

Think hard about that gift. When the temperature hits 50 degrees, the weather is on the tip of everybody's tongue in Highlands County. And many on Indian reservations can't even afford a basic winter coat. We often take the basic necessities for granted, but not the Luckey crew.
The Luckey's didn't do it alone.

A community came together to donate coats, cash, other goodies and a trailer load of toys. For those who heard the call, reach over and place your right hand over your left shoulder and give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back.

Sounds like Betty Luckey and family had a wonderful Christmas – the old fashioned way– after bringing a community together to help another group of very thankful people far away.

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