Make the puzzles easier to read
Well it is confirmed, I am not going blind. And, my doctor agrees with me. Our puzzle page, we so enjoy every day in our Herald-Dispatch, needs an overhaul. In 50 years, I have not seen one thing in its style or format change since I began working them.
For years now, and I might say that I have heard this from many circles that they, too, cannot read the letters a lot of the time. We are always calling, is that an E or an F on line three? Or what's that word, the ink is so faded?
Please, paper, please help out a ton of your faithful paper patrons, we are everywhere. Can't we spare a little darker ink? And oh my, how we would enjoy much bigger letters, too.
And yes, the world is in turmoil, we're at war, our city is falling down around our ears and all have complained, myself included. Start working the puzzles, really. All of us need a break from the rest. It will still be there once you've enjoyed yourself for a spell. And thanks to The Herald now, I know you will do the right thing. Oh, we just can't wait!
Teresa Woodall
Huntington
Businesses must be more visible
Let business be seen.
The visible always wins over the possible in most people's minds. I don't know about others, but when I am driving by a city on the interstate system when I see business buildings and office structures from the roadway, it plants in my mind, "the area must be prospering."
I know some cities like everything hidden from site, but without a visible sign of growth or business presence, a person could easily feel nothing is going on around the area.
Many people pass Huntington each day, never stopping as they go from one area of the United States to another. What is the impression that is left just by driving by? Maybe, "Oh what a nice quaint town," or "Not much going on here." I don't know about others, but when I pass Atlanta or Charlotte, I am always impressed that they must be growing because the businesses are visible and active, and I can see them as I pass.
The reason I am bringing this up is that DirectTV now is in the old Ashland Coal building. But with the structure covered by tree growth how would anyone know DirectTV has a large investment in Huntington?
Another big name in Huntington is Amazon. Who but the people in Huntington know they even exist there? These are eye-catching, high-profile companies that would impress people passing that area if they knew they existed.
I am saying that clearing the trees from the DirectTV building and having lighted signage on the structure and lighted signage on the side of the Jean Dean Building noting Amazon is free advertising for the city.
Richard Beckett
Gastonia, N.C.
Animals shouldn't be hurt for fashion
Readers may know that Pamela Anderson recently auctioned off her sporty 2000 Dodge Viper to help other "vipers" -- snakes and other exotic animals killed for their skins. Why does the thought of turning snakes and alligators into boots, bags, and belts make Anderson's skin crawl?
Snakes are commonly nailed to trees and skinned alive, in the belief that live flaying keeps the skins supple, then left to suffer for hours while they slowly die. Alligators are bludgeoned with hammers or aluminum bats. While fashion houses claim they use skins from "ethical" sources only, according to London's Daily Mail newspaper, in the past decade Chanel, Gucci and Fendi have all been fined for trading in crocodile skins from illegal sources.
Animals should not have to suffer just for humans' cold-blooded vanity. Caring consumers can help animals and look fashionable at the same time by choosing mock croc, fake snake and other synthetic skins. Find out more at www.PETA.org.
Paula Moore
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Norfolk, Va.
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