I HAVE been fortunate enough to be in the newspaper business for more than half my life. That encompasses a great many years.

This past week was one of the most difficult.

You meet a lot of people and make a lot of relationships along the way. Your co-workers become your family.

Patricia Graham was a most special and unique member of our T-L family. Unfortunately, as we all know by now, Patricia died Tuesday. In her wake, the Times Leader has been enveloped in sadness and shock.

The love, respect and friendship that Patricia attracted was eloquently documented in Saturday’s edition.

It was a small sampling of what everyone knew: Patricia was like no other.

Her newspaper expertise was extraordinary. That was reflected in her legendary columns.

Her journalistic talents, however, took a backseat to Patricia as a person. She lit up the newsroom with her mere presence, not to mention her never-ending smile and a boundless caring for her associates.

I never encountered anyone who ever said a negative word about Patricia. There was no reason to, she was a people’s person. She was a giver, not a taker.

Patricia was truly special, indeed. The Times Leader will have other Lifestyles editors. Unfortunately, we will never have another Patricia Graham.

BUBBA’S BITS

OHIO 149 in Bellaire was shut down on June 21 for repair work. It was scheduled to be closed for just 21 days. So much for that timetable. But what we have seen while running through the work site, the project is proving worthwhile in making the new roadway more easily passable. Once completed, Ohio 149 and the surrounding area will be a sharp facelift to the All-American Town, and hopefully will yield some spinoff businesses.

THE ST. CLAIRSVILLE State Highway Patrol post experienced a busy holiday weekend, from 6 p.m. Friday, July 2 to Monday, July 5 at midnight. The local troopers reported 11 OVI incidents, five crashes with injuries, 301 tickets for various traffic violations, 38 seat-belt violations and 53 more citations for driving 20 miles or more over the speed limit.

THE U.S. Postal Service is proposing another rate hike. It is requesting a boost from 44 cents to 46 cents which would begin in January. Congress may approve the hike. It is obvious that raising postage costs has never been the answer.

MEADOWBROOK HIGH School has a new principal. Keith Arnold assumes the post. He is already the Colts’ athletic director and boys’ head basketball coach.

FORMER ST. JOHN Central head football coach Scott Holt has landed an assistant football coaching position as well as teaching post at Cameron High.

SPEAKING OF St. John’s football, work is progressing on the school’s new field in south Bellaire, in preparation for its inaugural home game in week two against Cameron. A press box is taking shape. Once completed, it would be fitting to name it “The Jimmy Mountain Memorial Press Box.” Jimmy is an SJC grad and a Bellaire journalistic legend, who likely covered more prep football games in the All-Amercian Town than anyone.

THE Octoberfest Committee in?Bellaire will have a planning meeting on Tuesday in council chambers at 5 p.m. The meetings are open to the public and the public in encouraged to attend as much help is needed. The festival is schedules for Saturday, Oct. 9. Craft and food vendors are needed for the festival. For more information, call Rickie Parker at 740-671-3858.

I NEVER believed LeBron James was going to leave home. He went from hero to villian with his decision to head to Miami. I thought the television program to announce Lebron’s choice was disgusting. The show did, however, raise $5 million for the Boys & Girls Club.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleader online.com