2009.01.18
Readers became focus of column
My college professor once told me that life-altering events often are accompanied by pain.
The death of a loved one brings heartache. The arrival of a new life comes with the suffering of childbirth.
So as I move into the next phase of my professional life, I write this farewell column with a heavy heart.
This marks my last week with The Roanoke Times. I will appear in this paper twice more before beginning a new job with Carilion Clinic.
I've often joked of having only two skills: the abilities to string a few words together to make a coherent sentence and to interact easily with people. My new job at Carilion, as a member of its Guest Services team, will allow me to use my people skills working with the hospital system's hundreds of volunteers.
It's an exciting time, but also a sad time.
Journalists are nothing without readers. I never took for granted that you gave up your valuable time to see what we were talking about on any given day. Even when you didn't agree, many of you came back time after time.
For nearly four years, my column appeared in this space. Here, you met unsung heroes. You responded with comforting e-mails and cards when I publicly grieved the loss of my father.
Words in this space prompted you to buy soup, donate blood and surprise needy children with Christmas gifts. The column drew strangers together to undertake community projects.
My opinions provoked outrage. They drew responses I can't print in a family newspaper and sparked protest letters, calls and e-mails to my superiors.
In my first column on May 3, 2005, I wrote:
"I'm not naive enough to think that you will agree with everything I write. My job is not to endear, but to enlighten and engage."
Certainly, not all of you found me endearing. That was evident when the column was only a few months old and a colleague shared a comment he heard from a woman at a party.
"I always read Shanna Flowers, so I can see how she's going to p--- me off."
Some of you hit the roof when I wrote about guns, race, said Dick Cheney had "the devil" in him, and wrote satirically about Minnesota.
As state Del. Onzlee Ware told me one time, "You must be doing something right. You've made everybody mad."
What I sought to do was speak truth as I saw it. To trade in common sense. To come down not on this side or that one but on the side of right.
Nearly four years ago, I penned that it was just wrong for a former American Idol winner to glorify teen motherhood in song. Given the circumstances confronting us today, I feel even more strongly about that.
Later that year, I let loose that it didn't make sense for holier-than-thou sourpusses to try to deny children the fun of Halloween.
And no, I couldn't hold my peace last year about parents who aren't engaged in their children's education, and by extension, their futures.
What could be more important than a child's education? That's why you read a lot in this column about students, teachers and great programs and many decisions in school systems over these years.
The longest interview
In trying to deliver an engaging column to you three days a week, we logged some interesting moments, all in an effort to get the story.
Some were outrageous, like the time in 2005 when I crashed a vacation Bible school at Garden of Prayer No. 7 in Northwest Roanoke to get a mother's permission to use her teen son's rather lascivious quote about teen sex. Then there was the time I tailed a car carrying Virginia first lady Anne Holton through the streets of downtown Roanoke to try to deliver her a promised package.
Other moments were poignant. I cannot forget the opening of Sabrina's Place, a domestic violence refuge in downtown Roanoke named for fatal victim Sabrina Reed.
During the ceremony, as the veil was pulled from a beautiful, smiling portrait of Reed, her young daughter buried her head in a family member's side and began weeping. It was all I could do to hold it together in my role as detached observer.
The longest interview I've conducted in 24 years of journalism was with Larry LeGrande of Roanoke, who regaled me with stories from his days as a former Negro League baseball catcher. We talked for three hours, and I still didn't want to leave.
You became the focus
Many of you may have noticed that this column has evolved. In the early days, it focused more on governmental institutions and policymaking. But in recent years, it increasingly became about you, the people who make up this region.
Those columns were the ones that most moved me -- and the readers.
I am not a great writer but was fortunate to meet many people willing to share great stories.
People like Donald Burnette, a laid-off Circuit City worker whose plight was that of America's left-behind unskilled workers.
There was Keith Thomas, a young married father who grew up without his dad but is determined to be there for his wife and two boys.
Nancy Burgess' pastor put me on to her. Each year, she devotes hundreds of hours sewing clothes for dolls given to needy girls. I still admire the courage of Juli, the fictitious name of a real woman in Roanoke who is HIV positive. She bravely shared her story with me to prevent others from the same fate.
Volvo mechanic Walter Williams represented the Everyman who quietly performs the services that keep our lives quietly ticking along.
There were too many others to name, people whose stories touched readers' hearts and made them think.
"It's time we all applauded the folks of all races who achieve rather than suck the system dry," Mike, a frequent correspondent, e-mailed six months ago.
"That is a message that I've learned from you, and I appreciate your untiring effort to find success stories about folks whom we can all look upon as role models."
Mike, for three-and-a-half years, it's been my pleasure.
Wow!! That's not what I expected as I opened your post. You were one of the reasons I even read the Roanoke Times. Even though I didn't agree with everything you've written, it always provided me with, what I tell my daughter,"exercise for the mind". I guess I'll have to find a new health club. May God bless you in all you do, Shanna.
Comment by Shaun — January 18, 2009 @ 8:00 am
Thank the good, This is truely an historic week, Kings birthday, obumma in office... and we get rid of you...
Comment by martin harris — January 18, 2009 @ 9:07 am
.Shanna, am going to miss you in your role with the Times. As a Political figure in our city, I would always look forward to your comments because it gave the "everyday citizens'" perspective. I always wanted to know your take on a subject from Victory stadium to Domestic Violence. You had an opinion. From school board appts to City Council elections, you had a perspective. Not always agreeing with me. But I respected your opinion. Well the Good thing here is you are not leaving the area and am should sure will find a way to let me know your thoughts on many issues. And do not forget, I am your Vice Mayor. wishing you God's Best, my Friend
Comment by sherman Lea Sr — January 18, 2009 @ 9:42 am
Snanna,
Your column is always the first thing I read in the Roanoke Times on Shanna days. You have touched countless lives and spurred much thought and action here. I have especially enjoyed your blog and the community of bloggers. (Good-bye blogging buddies!)
At least you are not leaving the area. Congratulations on the new opportunity. I know you will continue to make a difference in our community.
May God bless you in all your new endeavors.
Stay in the flow! Thank you for touching my life.
Comment by Ms. Goldenwillow — January 18, 2009 @ 10:51 am
Wow.... I always looked forward to your column and today was no exception. Imagine my surprise and yes, dissapointment to read this unexp3ected news. But as I've heard said a time or two, "To everything there is a season....." I wish you all the best and I pray that God will continue to order your steps. Our loss is truly Carilion's gain! I still hope our paths will someday cross as I have always wanted to just sit and chat with you for awhile!! Joy and peace to you as you embark on this new chapter in your life.
Comment by linda — January 18, 2009 @ 10:53 am
Shanna,
I'm sorry to see you go, but I know an excellent opportunity awaits that you will certainly grab by the horns and excel. I have enjoyed reading your columns (and the comments) for some time.
Best of luck to you in the new position!
Warm regards,
Ed S.
Comment by Ed S. — January 18, 2009 @ 10:57 am
Sad to see you go. You stimulated my thought processing with your articles. I felt you were fair, intelligent, fiesty and talented. All good traits bundled into one. I trust you'll enjoy your new career and hopefully you'll continue to write about everyday life with any spare time you may have. Good luck and God Bless!
Comment by Ralph Johnson — January 18, 2009 @ 11:34 am
You wrote from a position of priviledge without regard to fact. If the Times wishes to be a true community paper, they should serve the community and not try to divide it.
I take hits all the time on this blog, but I can't let you get away saying I write "without regard to fact." That strikes at my personal and journalistic ethic, and I wouldn't have lasted 24 years if that were the case.--s
Comment by Lauren Deutsch — January 18, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
Very classy, Martin Harris.
Comment by Ralph — January 18, 2009 @ 12:11 pm
Oh Shanna, boo hoo, please please consider coming back to us when the time is right...
S
Comment by sz — January 18, 2009 @ 3:32 pm
I am sorry to see you go. I enjoyed your columns and this blog. A lot of people will miss you. Good luck in your new endeavors.
Comment by Debbie — January 18, 2009 @ 6:19 pm
Shanna,
You weren't always balanced, and I disagreed with you many times, but you wrote thought-provoking articles. Best to you on your new career.
Comment by mrfreeze — January 18, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
Good luck Shanna, on your new position with Carilion Clinic...my old haunt. As you may know, I stepped out of the corporate sector to develop my on business. I work twice as many hours and make barely enough to sustain myself, because every penny available beyond taking care of needs, is rolled back into the business to continue growth. Risk is always present, but I go to sleep each night with a feeling I helped to further the cause of more accessible/affordable healthcare. My entrepreneurial aphorism: No health, no wealth. Hopefully, you will get that feeling of exhilaration in making the Roanoke Valley a healthier place for all. Forward your new e-mail address to me, so we can stay in touch. All the best.
Comment by Bobby Buck — January 18, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
OH NO!!!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!!!! BABY PLEASE COME BACK!! DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY!!!!!!!!! I DON'T WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M HEADING FOR THE ROANOKE RIVER BRIDGE ON THE PARKWAY. IT'S ALL OVER NOW!!!! NOTHING TO LIVE FOR.
Comment by Percy Kution — January 18, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
Percy, the RT may still be taking applications. You may not be as eloquent as Shanna, but you'd be a riot! Please consider.
Comment by Ed S. — January 18, 2009 @ 8:03 pm
Daddrattit! One of the few reasons (OK, the ONLY reason) to even bother reading the RT and it's website is leaving. Shanna, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Carilion's gain is our loss. As with quite a few of your loyal blogging fans (even though I was a relative latecomer), I didn't always agree with your opinions, but you were always willing to hear what other folks had to say without belittling thier point of view, although sometimes they didn't accord you the same respect. I will use this final post to tweak your nose one final time about your "Yankeeness", keep trying sausage gravy and other "Southern" dishes, we'll make a Rebel of you yet. Good bye, good luck, God bless and Godspeed.
Comment by Purvis Ledbetter — January 18, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
Ed S. - Thank you, Sir, for the vote of confidence. I wouldn't mind trying it, but I wouldn't last 20 minutes. The RT would have to hire a 40 person security detail just for ME. And besides, I'm pinned down by heavy fire right now in Chapel Hill. Somebody help me.
Comment by Percy Kution — January 18, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
The New Year always brings changes, this is one I never expected. You have been fun to challenge, and a knife slashing wit, with good looks to boot.
Please take care and good luck, for your replacement won't be so lucky. they will get by....
by not posting the facts as we present them.
Thank you Shanna
Comment by Static Lines — January 19, 2009 @ 12:38 am
Shanna,
As a relative "newbie" I do so look forward to your articles and this blog was a wonderful way to meet my community, in a very unique manner.
I enjoyed the way I was provoked to think and though some issues were not so vital to me as others, it was an experience, I will miss. Your efforts in your writing ect were evidence of your throughness.
As one door closes another opens, empty is good for it leaves room for
gain and growth. May the coming years be frutiful for you in any way you direct your Heart and Intentions.
Perhaps a book?
Peace-Love-Oneness,
Dona
Comment by Dona Wheeler — January 19, 2009 @ 1:30 am
Wow thats the best present you could have given me on MLK DAY!!
Comment by R Gibbons — January 19, 2009 @ 8:53 am
Good luck in your new job. I will truly miss your columns as they were interesting and very well written. The Roanoke Times keeps losing so many of the columnists I had enjoyed and you are definitely one of them.
Comment by M J Wyatt — January 19, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
Martin Harris: I've never known a "Harris" that knew who is Daddy was (Wayne, Nelson, etc). From your comments about Shanna, I'd say you're another one.
Comment by Percy Kution — January 19, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
I am truly confused---I am supposed to be riding off into the sunset, but you beat me too it--I an really a nevous ninny now--Barry is in and ur out before this gray haired man can get his hammer on the work bench---You are simply the best at touching the pulse of so many people and making them see how they fit into the total picture-- You changed my life in a very positive way and I look forward to the furture because you opened my eyes to a lot I had taken for granted over the years--I will fix your shoes til I am older and grayer, but I will miss those words three days a week.
Gravy and biscuits send off with a sweet tea kicker Southerns for Shanna
Comment by Randy The shoeman — January 19, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
Dang, was it my note about your column? My first response and you are quitting?! Sorry you are leaving but I wish you much success an your new endeavor.
Comment by Arleen Ollie — January 19, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
R Gibbons
Your comments speak for itself....
1) Your character
2) Your Mentality
3) Your group affiliation
Shanna will be missed by her fans and her detractors. Yet, she still have the last laugh. think about it.
Comment by Static Lines — January 19, 2009 @ 7:07 pm
Shanna:
You already know how I feel, and best of luck to you. Percy, Ed, Static, Backlash, Mrs. G., Hardworking Mom, LRS, and others, I'll miss you guys. As for the RT, I found it one of the best publications around for lining my birdcage until Shanna showed up. Now I guess it goes into the catbox. Hopefully some attempt will be made to fill the shoes that even Imelda Marcos might envy. Adieus, all, and we'll miss you much, Shanna.
Comment by Mike — January 20, 2009 @ 3:22 am
martin harris:
I'd suggest you stick your head where the sun don't shine, but it's obvious you have it firmly inserted there already. I won't call you a moron, for fear of insulting morons everywhere else.
Comment by Mike — January 20, 2009 @ 3:27 am
It fits perfectly..going from the worst paper to the worst and most corrupt hospital in the South..The only thing the Times is good at is pushing its own politics..the only the thing Carilion is good at is collecting money..Slow to treat..fast to sue..your right where you belong..
Comment by Larry — January 20, 2009 @ 9:24 am
TO ALL MY FRIENDS IN SHANNA'S COLUMN: Thank you ALL for having a good time with me here. And for those of you that didn't like me and said anything at all detrimental to Shanna, I hope your Mama runs out from under the porch and bites you when you get home. I know I went "overboard" sometimes, but it was fun to see the reaction and sit back and laugh. Most of all, thank YOU, Shanna-Pooh. The only thing I'll read now in the RT is the obituaries, just to see if anybody I don't like died. I don't know how much I can say here without getting it CENSORED, but......there's nowhere else we can all discuss things like this, but ONE does come sort of close. Have to be careful here........there IS one other media in the area that DOES pretty much practice FREE SPEECH. It's name has ONE digit, NOT TWO, and they have at least ONE HONEST correspondent, first name "Keith", but I call him "Stoneface". Like Shanna-Pooh, he WILL tell it like it is. So if any of you get withdrawal symtoms with Shanna-Pooh gone, look for "PERCY KUTION" comments on some of that place's stories. Its sure NOTHING like Shanna-Pooh's place, but it's ALL we've got left. And you CAN trust 'Ol "Stoneface" Easy Rider Humphrey. Somebody play taps now.
Comment by Percy Kution — January 20, 2009 @ 6:52 pm
Mike
Reading that Shanna is leaving the RT, is a bitter sweet lost. I would have never guessed it by the vibrant stories and the fire she created in all of the readers and daily posted comments.
It was through your efforts that made this blog, giving that section of the paper an informative life of it's own.
Sure people hated what you spewed, truth is rarely accepted in any venue. So as you take your leave I bow to you and saying a warm hug and thank you.
For those that hated Shanna there is a saying: Talking about me, let's me know you are thinking of me.
Maybe that's what Static meant about the last laugh. Shaun you made a comment about being honest, I was honest about the prayer and accepted the heart felt thoughts for posting for what my words could not convey.
One can only wonder what rock you left your courage under....
to apologize.
Again thank you Shanna, Mike, Percy, Ed, Static, Mrs. G., Hardworking Mom, LRS, and others, Good bye and good night.
Comment by Backlash — January 20, 2009 @ 10:30 pm
Larry
Target is having a sale on bathroom tissue you may want to buy a roll to wipe your back side of life you refer to as a mouth.
Comment by Static Lines — January 20, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
Skipping school again today, Larry? "Corrupt hospital"--for definition, see "medical facility that won't admit juvenile delinquents like Larry during school hours."
See Ya' Percy. It's been a blast.
Comment by mike — January 20, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
very beautiful write-up today, as we've come to expect from you, but this of course is/was momentous - what an elegant way to go out. you will be very missed, (and if I may add, we feel you are doing the wrong thing to leave journalism?)
Comment by sz — January 21, 2009 @ 7:54 am
THANK GOD! Finally we don't have to read your "please pity the poor poor black community" affermitive action rhetoric. What else could you have to bitch about? Good Riddence to HORRIBLE RUBBISH!
Actually, I DO have one more thing to bitch about---Did you ever find that picture of Linda Wyatt?--s
Comment by Robert Hutton — January 21, 2009 @ 8:35 am
The Roanoke Times is losing its best commentator. Best wishes, Shanna.
Comment by LRS — January 21, 2009 @ 10:51 am
You know, several regulars go together here for "coffee" over Shanna's thrice-weekly column. I think the RT should allow us homesteaders to stay, at least until they find a general-interest successor.
It would be almost like the old Bill Mahr show, but without a poor-acting liberal twit. Sometimes it's a bit like The View around here.
We could call it "Chew the Fat with the Crotchety Regulars".
Comment by Ed S. — January 21, 2009 @ 11:28 am
Yes I did. As well as some background info, seems she drinks from the same preverbial "kool-aid" that your people have been preaching for decades. I guess if you tell the SHEEPEL something enough times, they will believe anything.
Comment by Robert Hutton — January 21, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
Robert Hutton
None of the regular posters have used the b- word, I guess it was a regular staple at your dinner table as a kid.
My African American Father taught us to respect women, elders, and your neighbor not fear them. One would only ration that you like going out in public forum with a torch was the only way you could get attention or...
You could find the other numb skulls of your ilk.
Comment by Static Lines — January 21, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
Static, my good friend:
Finding a numb-nuts of Hutton's ilk would be like looking for a pearl in a cow pie. It just ain't there. Good luck to you.
Comment by mike — January 22, 2009 @ 2:33 am