Remembering Randy Carter



Don,



What a wonderful tribute to the memory of our Randy! He was passionate about football and often revisited those triumphs through the years.

Thank you for remembering.

Thank you for sharing with the community.



Sue McLauchlin



Don,



Thank you so very much for such a great tribute to my brother on behalf of my family.



Cindy Stephenson



n Sue and Cindy, I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for your kind words. — DM





On Steve Febel



Don,



Nice article. You could not have said it better. Steve has always been an example of what is good about small-town USA.

Jefferson is lucky to have him to serve and protect.



Steve Wludyga



Don,



Thank you for writing such an emotionally felt tribute to a silent Jefferson giant.

Steve is one of our small town's greatest assets.



Mike Hamper Jr.



n Steve and Nike, thanks for the props. Above is a picture of Steve from his senior year at Jefferson (1976). Steve is one of a kind, that’s for sure! — DM





On 24 years at the Beacon



Don,



I enjoy your articles. I think you are one of the best writers the Beacon has ever had.

I was wondering if you ever considered doing a story on the best all-around athletes the city of Ashtabula has ever had?

I went to school at St. John with Bruce McClimans and graduated in 1964. The best athlete I ever played with was Terry Melaragno from St. John. He was smart, athletic and one of the smallest guys on our teams.

The other two great all-around athletes were Brian Gaines from Harbor and Wash Lyons from Ashtabula.



Jim DeGeorge



n Jim, thanks for the nice words and your thoughts on the best athletes you’ve seen from Ashtabula. I’d bet you could do a better job of naming the best all-around athletes from the city than I could. — DM



Don,



Congratulations to you on reaching the 24-year employment plateau. From your words in your stories and columns, I know that you thoroughly enjoy your job.

Kudos go out to your staff as well. Thanks for keeping the local sports life alive back in the homeland of Ashtabula County!



Best regards,

Tom Eden

Boulder, Colo.

Edgewood,

Class of 1980



n Tom, I appreciate your sentiments very much. — DM

Don,



I knew it had seemed like forever since you started at the Star Beacon.

Twenty-four years too much as far as me and many others are concerned.



J.S. Campbell



n J.S., a television commercial featuring Howie Long ends with the line, “Blame the carpenter, don’t blame the tool.” In your case, I’ll go with the opposite. — DM



Don,



You’ve done a pretty good job for a long time at the Star Beacon.

But I do think it’s time for a new voice. We’re all kind of tired of reading yours.

You’ve done OK but it’s time to move on.



Frank Tabor



n Frank, thanks... I think. — DM



Don,



Time for the pasture for you.



Paul LaCosta



n Paul, no grazing for this horse, thank you. — DM



Don,



How have you conned the people who run the Star Beacon to keep someone who isn’t even a college graduate to be in chart of the Sports department?



Robert Donnelly



n Robert, “in chart of?” ‘nuff said. — DM



Don,



Congratulations on your 24th anniversary at the Star Beacon. Just lasting this long in a tough industry is a real accomplishment and something special.

Also, in your time as sports editor you have turned the sports section into something that is a real pleasure to read every day.

Well done.



Bill Kobelak



n Bill, thank you very much, sir. — DM





Remembering Peter Lambros



Don,



Your story about Airman Lambros should ring loudly in peoples’ ears today, Veteran’s Day. He gave his life for freedom, and we all should be very proud and thankful for such duty to our country.

These are our true heroes. Many of us take for granted such efforts by so few. Our country was built from the ground up by men and women confronting the evils outside our borders.

God bless Mr. Lambros and all other veterans today, and every day.

Thanks again for a very timely and appropriate story.



Regards,

Tom Eden

Boulder, Colo.

Edgewood,

Class of 1980



n Tom, some stories simply tell themselves. The saga of Mr. Lambros, a true American hero, did just that. I just tried to stay out of the way, so to speak. Thank you for the kind words. — DM



Don,



I have read your work ever since you came to the Beacon.

Today, I wish to take this opportunity to both congratulate and thank you for what I now think is the best thing you’ve written. Your article on Peter Lambros was truly outstanding. The timing was perfect. The relation to the previous Lambros article enhanced it.

Your personal thoughts were beautiful.

The Lambros family has always been one of courage and leadership. Your article was a very appropriate tribute, and was perfect.

Thanks again for your fine work.



Bob Howe

Ashtabula



n Bob, I am truly humbled by your words. Thank you. – DM





Remembering Ken Crandall



Don,



The premature death of Kenny, is definitely a major shock to many of us who grew up and played sports with him.

His selflessness was beyond compare. I believe everything happens for a reason and a Billy Joel song titled, “Only the Good Die Young,” is the only reason, I can figure, that he was taken from us so soon.

My dad used to call him “Duck” when he was younger because his running feet were proportionately larger than the rest of his body. That didn't matter, though, because he could still cruise around those bases. Dad still talks about how much he liked coaching baseball when KC played for him.

It’s gonna break my heart to tell him the sad news. Thanks, Don, for keeping us informed about our peeps. You’ve done a great job being the bearer of news, be it good or bad.

KC touched the lives of so many people.

God bless you, my friend.

RIP.



Steve Harris

JAHS Class of 1980



n Steve, very well said. — DM





On the Browns



Don,



The Browns suck!

Sorry, I just had to.



Thanks,

Bob Stillwell



n Bob, though I attempt not to watch, you won’t receive any argument from me. — DM