THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509080005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
On Sept. 1, a friend at work said, ``Be sure to read the Teenology article today - your opinion of Franklin will be different after you read it.''
High-school correspondent John Eischeid missed opportunities to share Franklin with a friend from ``the big city.'' What happened to tennis, golf, bowling or visiting a local library for local art and stuff at ``small town'' prices? Or a swim in one of the several large pools available would be a good way to start a day in Franklin. Another missed opportunity was a boat ride or water sports on the Nottoway River, launching from Dockside.
And rather than watching corn grow (is that possible, by the way?), a local bicycle club would have suggested several interesting routes which would take him through beautiful farmland and countryside. Seeing fields of corn, peanuts and cotton (not many beans, really) from a bike seems much more appealing than standing in corn rows waiting for something to happen!
And next time, John should try inviting his friend to lunch at one of the local restaurants. Granted there aren't many; but the service is good, and it's the only way to enjoy local fare. Fast food is great for people who work and need a quick break, but that's not where we go in Franklin to meet friends and enjoy fellowship.
Speaking of food, when correspondent Alicia Luma got to Norfolk, was Doumar's really the best of the best compared to Franklin? I, too, have enjoyed Doumar's, but only after the symphony at Chrysler Hall or a play at The Wells Theater. Would one of these attractions have been more appealing to a ``small-town boy'' like John, or maybe the Chrysler Museum with all its art and artifacts. Did you know they serve food there too?
I guess the point is that beauty is always in the eyes of the beholder. Franklin is seen by many as a great place to spend the day. On the other hand, Norfolk, when seen through the eyes of a local from Franklin, is not just harbor lights, coffee shops and '50s ice-cream hangouts.
I hope that out of the exercise of writing this article the writers will take another look at their cities and try getting a group of friends together to do some of the real things out there.
As for pot-smoking being considered a remedy for boredom, that comment doesn't deserve the time or effort of a response.
LINDA D. JOHNSON
Franklin, Sept. 4, 1995 by CNB