To the editor:

I would like to thank the South Whidbey Record for the coverage of my selection as Hometown Hero. During this process I was blessed to spend time with Susan Knickerbocker. Susan is the founder of this award. She is the unsung hero that has brought these stories to our community for so many years.

The process is wonderful and humbling. She gathers stories from your friends and family and then creates her own story on some aspect of your life that may help others and our community. She is a doll to work with and adorns you with handmade cards, flowers and her radiant smile. Susan had an idea and followed through with it, but it is the Record that allows Susan the space from other news. Thank you also to Ben Wantanabe for his thoughtful ideas about where to take a picture. Nothing makes me feel better than reading the Record and its positive coverage and stories about the wonderful things our community does for each other. Thank you for all the coverage you give to all of our community volunteer organizations. Some people move to a community based on the news they read in the local paper. We have certainly had our share of hot topics but it is the wording you put into our sports, schools, volunteers, charities, clubs and organizations that truly define who we are and what we are about. Thank you for every positive report you take time to gather including Susan Knickerbocker’s Hometown Hero.

Sandy Gilbert

Clinton