Good News - January 2021

During the New Year, there's a tendency to purge the old and bring in something new. With that in mind, Good News Wants to Know... What's the one thing in your closet you would never throw away? Why? One thing I would never throw away. My 9/11 items. Crazy; my shoes worn in the pit during the WTC cleanup. Covered in “dust,” wrapped in a bag — seemed like we walked on holy ground. Also saved news articles and a hat re- membering FDNY firefighter, Michael Ragusa. Karen Granger , Community Relations Director, Palm Beach County, 4KIDS Palm Beach An ancient athlete always has something in his closet that attaches him to his majestic Memory Lane and Glory Days! Therefore what will not go or throw way is my High School Letterman’s jacket decorated with play- off and State Champion patches. Go Griffin Bears!! Bernard King , Sr., Pastor, Cornerstone Bible Fellowship I would never throw away my wedding suit. It was a really cool (Bob Denison phrase) tailored suit with a vest. That suit was worn by me at the beginning of now a 40-year adventure journey with my best friend, my wife, Jane. Her mother knew it was meant to be when she saw everything in my kitchen cabinet lined up in perfect order, and she was right! William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott Attorneys at Law In my closet lives a very old baseball glove. Every time I put it on I get the feeling I’ll play the Bigs. It’ll happen one day: a scout for the Yan- kees (maybe the Marlins) will drive by; witness my accidently curve, and sign me on the spot. Emily Dickinson said, “hope is the thing with feathers.” I say, “hope is the thing made of sandlot leathers.” For that reason, the thing I’m grabbing in a fire: my 4th grade baseball glove. Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting I have a few articles of clothing in my closet that I am in no danger of ever wearing again (or fitting into for that matter!) However, there are things that I would never throw away, for the sentimental value. There is a tie that my grandfather passed down to me, a sweater frommy later father, a warm up jacket from my AAU swimming days at Pine Crest and, finally, a letter- man jacket from my marching band days playing the drums at Northeast High School. Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 93 ‘Never would I get rid of my silk ‘long-johns.’ They are light and warm in winter and are great when I have to go to really cold weather. Sometimes I even sleep in them! H. Collins Forman , Jr., P.A. Still hanging onto a couple of tennis racquets. One I used when I was finishing up a 13-year career as a teaching tennis professional and the other from the last tournament I won. I like to show young people the evo- lution of tennis racquets through the ages. Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship I will always keep the motorcycle helmet I wore taking a 4,600-mile mo- torcycle trip across Africa and through Europe when I was 20 years old. Don Campion , President, Banyan Air Service My wife and I are downsizing. She’s all “Keep it!” and I’m “Pitch it!” She preserves memories while I think utility. But she’s persuading me that those tangible evidences of the past, the ones that make present the myriad sights and sounds of events long gone, are the true valuables. In the clos- est there’s a small music box our youngest daughter gave me years ago that plays “You Have a Friend.” Turn the crank and memories flood in. She’s vividly present. Gene L. Green, PhD, Dean, Trinity International University - Florida I am known to clear my closet of anything that has not been touched in a year or two. The one thing I won't throw away is my wedding dress. Next year marks 25 years of marriage for me and my husband, Paul. I hope my daughter may use some part of it for her wedding one day if she chooses. Germaine Smith Baugh, Ed.D, President and CEO, Urban League of Broward County Bernard King William “Bill” C. Davell Bob Denison Chip LaMarca H. Collins Forman Deborah Cusick Wants to Know… Karen Granger