Most journalists will tell you that one of the best parts of this job is the people they meet. People they otherwise never would've spoken with, whose stories linger in their heads and hearts long after their story runs.
Most journalists will tell you that one of the best parts of this job is the people they meet.
People they otherwise never would've spoken with, whose stories linger in their heads and hearts long after their story runs.
With the last Standard-Times of 2007 soon to go to bed, our reporters recall their most memorable subjects of the year.
Lauren Daley, Standard-Times staff writer:
This was my first year as the living/arts reporter, which gave me the chance to talk to some really interesting people — author Chris Van Allsburg, folk singer Emmylou Harris; I was psyched just to "e-interview" rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis.
But it was a Dartmouth family who touched me the most.
I wrote a story about Alyson Bellora a few months before she ran the Chicago Marathon in October to raise money for cystic fibrosis. Her son Garrett died from the genetic disorder at age 11 last year.
I remember walking up the front steps of the Bellora house to interview Alyson and her husband Jeffrey, and mentally bracing myself. I expected tears; I expected to feel like a jerk, making them talk about the death of their little boy.
But there were no tears. There was laughter. The Belloras' strength was astounding.
We sat in their living room, surrounded by their other sons, Matthew, 14, Alexander, 5, and Nolan, 3.
Jeffrey and Alyson told stories about Garrett playing tricks on his doctors and Garrett joking with his dad.
Alyson's voice cracked just once — when she recalled Garrett saying, "Mom, I'm dying," on his last night.
I told her about my cousin's baby who has CF, and the Belloras showed me Garrett's room, which was still as he left it.
After the story ran, Alyson sent me multiple e-mails thanking me and asking about my cousin's baby.
She wrote again after the marathon — 26.2 miles in the Windy City for a woman, who, two years ago, could barely jog a mile.
Smiles from parents, who, a year ago, watched a son die.
To me, the Belloras are the pinnacle of strength. They are my most memorable interview of 2007.
Don Cuddy, Standard-Times staff writer:
Albert Roy of South Dartmouth, who owned New Bedford's Orpheum Theatre during its glory days as a movie house from 1945 to 1958, showed up at the old venue in October when the volunteer group trying to restore the building offered tours to the public.
Standing outside his old office, Al held court, regaling a spellbound audience with spicy yarns about the good old days when the theater served as the social hub of what was then a thriving commercial district.
A flight engineer on B-29s during the war, Mr. Roy flew 35 combat missions in the Pacific before returning to take over the theater after his mother's death.
"First I had to sell the Casino Theater on Purchase Street to pay off my mother's taxes," he said.
"That place was a gold mine. In the old days, it was all poor people who lived in Holy Acres, down by the coal yards. They had to hold onto their plates on the table when the train went by," he said.
The day after my story ran, Mr. Roy came to The Standard-Times office and had my undivided attention for more than an hour as he regaled me with wonderful anecdotes about old New Bedford, including an account of how people brought their bean pots to his father's bakery on Saturdays to be baked in the ovens for a nominal charge.
We talked of getting together to record his memories. Sadly, Mr. Roy just passed away, and with him went an irreplaceable font of memories.
My encounter with him, brief though it was, has left a lasting impression on me. They must have needed someone to sell tickets at the Pearly Gates theater.
Sarah Gonet, Standard-Times correspondent:
The first thing you notice about 16-year-old Lauren Madruga is the amazing effect she has on everyone she comes in contact with.
The second thing you notice are her disabilities.
Lauren, who is afflicted with a rare autoimmune disorder, is confined to a wheelchair and must remain on life support at all times.
I met Lauren, her mother and the amazing team of professionals who dedicate themselves to ensuring Lauren's health and education during an interview at New Bedford High School this fall.
I had heard much about Lauren before our meeting in person. People had told me about her amazing academic abilities and her positive attitude, but I definitely wasn't prepared for what an impact one teenager could have on me in the short time we were together.
Simply put, most of us take a lot for granted and we still manage to find reasons to complain. For Lauren, every moment is a gift. She values her education like you wish all students would and she treasures her family's support like all teenagers should.
Her disabilities don't make her angry; they make her a stronger, better person.
Brian Boyd, Standard-Times staff writer:
Annmarie Rita was known to many as the homeless woman who often took shelter in the Onset band shell, sleeping in freezing temperatures. Area residents would recognize her as a frequent presence in Onset Village.
What those passing by couldn't know was the story about how Ms. Rita ended up there, and the daughter who didn't know how to find her.
I met Ms. Rita on a cold evening in January, after photographer Peter Pereira had first reached out to her and documented her life in a series of photographs.
It was a challenge to draw information from Ms. Rita, who was 49 at the time. She jumped around in her conversation and told sometimes extraordinary stories.
After the article and photos were published, readers donated money for a while to keep Ms. Rita in an inn. Her daughter Jessica Bruno happened to stumble across one of the published articles online.
She visited her mother in March and told her of a month-old granddaughter Ms. Rita didn't know.
The reunion was bittersweet. The mother suffers from mental illness and was reluctant to accept help, Mrs. Bruno said. At times, she doubted Mrs. Bruno was really her daughter.
Becky W. Evans, Standard-Times staff writer:
I spent several days following New Bedford resident Marlene Tavares, 75, around SouthCoast for our Outlook issue on working retirees.
She is a beautiful person who radiates warmth and joy to all — even reporters who snoop around her apartment and pester her with questions.
Marlene, who bags groceries and restocks shelves at Shaw's in Dartmouth, has made great contributions to this area during her long, diverse career.
She talks with enthusiasm about her many jobs as a Cornell-Dubilier Electric plant worker, community organizer, civil rights activist, UMass Dartmouth custodian, Bristol County policewoman, mother and grandmother.
My time with Marlene taught me that anyone in any profession can make a difference in this world simply by maintaining a positive attitude and sharing a smile, hug or word of encouragement with all whom you encounter.
Curt Brown, Standard-Times staff writer:
I wish all public servants were like Dartmouth Town Clerk Eleanor J. White, who is retiring Feb. 26.
She is conscientious, helpful, hard-working, dedicated, honest and community-minded. And she does everything with a smile.
Everyone in town knows Mrs. White. She is the person they see when they go to Town Hall for a marriage license or to renew their dog's license or to register to vote.
Her demeanor is always the same. Visitors are always greeted with her cheery and outgoing manner.
The 74-year-old Mrs. White, who has been town clerk the last 18 years, is retiring so she and her husband, Bill, can have more time for themselves.
There is always some important deadline or an election. Elly is so dedicated she refuses to take time off.
She is going to become a volunteer in her retirement, but the big difference is she will be able to leave when she wants to visit her children.
But true to her nature, her retirement date is timed for the benefit of the town.
Feb. 26 is the deadline to file nomination papers in the town's annual elections, and she thinks she should be on duty for that.
Jennifer Lade, Standard-Times staff writer:
In January, when New Bedford resident Jeff Lawrence was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, he chose hope and courage.
Despite the disease's effect, which makes it progressively difficult to walk, speak, swallow and breathe, he's committed to living a normal life as long as possible, working at Shaw's in Dartmouth and spending time on his boat, Knot to Worry.
His friendly personality inspired Dartmouth Shaw's customers to raise more than $7,000 for ALS research through Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's fund-raising campaign, Curt's Pitch for ALS.
While Mr. Lawrence knows he might never see a cure for ALS, he has resolved to live meaningfully each day he has left.
"I'm not going to let it bring me down," he said.
Tyra Pacheco, Standard-Times correspondent:
After defeating cancer three times in 10 years, Beverly Galipeau celebrated her 70th birthday by jumping out of an airplane.
Cancer in her tongue, neck and brain stem were all defeated with several surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, giving Ms. Galipeau the courage to face just about anything — including skydiving.
After a practice run in a model airplane with her tandem partner, Ms. Galipeau flew to 12,500 feet above Lake Elsinore, Calif. With a helmet on her head and a smile on her face, she shuffled to the door, strapped to her partner, and jumped.
"You know, I'm a three-time cancer survivor and I have come very close to dying, so I figured why not celebrate being alive at the age of 70," said Ms. Galipeau in an interview in April.
Joao Ferreira, Standard-Times staff writer:
I've only covered the town of Lakeville for a few short months, but someone quickly made a deep impression on me: Finance Committee Chairwoman Martha Green.
Her forceful leadership didn't leave anyone oblivious. She pushed the issues and asked the tough questions, without any coyness, in a town squeezed for cash, but one felt her concern was always genuine.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Green moved with her family to Colorado recently, but not before she left an extensive letter with selectmen raising several issues that the town would have to deal with in the future.
Her concern about the town continued even after she left, and I'm sure she's still watching from afar.
Kim Ledoux, Standard-Times correspondent:
Jean C. Fox is a bundle of energy dedicated to improving the lives of the people of SouthCoast.
The Literacy Works entrepreneur for the Greater New Bedford Investment Board, she is also a Freetown selectman and a member of the regional school committee.
She is often quoted as saying that officials should "think regionally" and work in cooperation to solve problems common to many communities in this area.
Through Literacy Works, Ms. Fox connects people with programs to improve their reading skills. Proficient readers, believes Ms. Fox, can attain better jobs and become assets to their community.
Ms. Fox spends almost every weekday evening and even some Saturday mornings working very hard to make Freetown a good place to live, work and go to school.
In addition to her professional life, Ms. Fox is a dedicated wife and mother of three who, during a recent selectmen's meeting, tearfully voiced her desire to get home for her daughter's birthday.