Letters to the editor, Wednesday (9-17-14)

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Manners needed every day, not just for occasions
As much as I enjoyed Sunday’s article about manners, it should have included other things besides writing thank you notes. I agree that it has almost been forgotten. But there is also consideration that should be included in manners in my opinion.
I recently had knee replacement and am now walking with the aid of a cane. I visited a local restaurant yesterday and my cane and impaired ability to walk were very evident, but the hostess proceeded to take us to the very back of the seating area, passing empty booths and tables as she went. I stopped and refused to go and did not appreciate how inconsiderate it was to ask me to walk that far when other tables were available.
But also at the same time, while visiting Walmart and having to use their motorized cart, two young men offered and returned the cart to the store for me from the parking lot. It was so reassuring to see someone care that someone needs help. You never know when you might be in the same position and as the Bible says, “When you do it unto the least of these, you do it unto me.”
I hope the young lady at the restaurant will be more considerate of the needs of others when the occasion arises. And many thanks to the young men and two others inside the store who reached things for me. It is greatly appreciated and although I would like to send a note, I hope this serves that purpose as I don’t know your names.
— Barbara Earley
Salisbury
Let’s clean up town
Since I live in this area, I don’t notice what our town looks like. Not until my wife and I recently traveled to Maine. We stopped in several small towns along with the tourist towns. We visited the Maine Mall and the life-size chocolate moose.
We returned Saturday after a 10-day vacation. What we noticed most was the filthy streets, parking lots and yards.
Our town is filthy. Fast food containers, yard waste, just about everything. On Monday on the way to Harris Teeter, I passed yard maintenance crews at two locations blowing grass clippings into the street. The Harris Teeter parking lot looked as if a weekend party had been held there. And, a lady watering flowers was washing the sidewalk into the parking lot. I had to swerve around three places where limbs were placed in the road, reducing the street to one lane.
I don’t notice these things until I leave and come back. In a few weeks, I’ll forget how pretty these Northern Yankee towns looked and become accustomed to the trashy display that we have for our out-of-town visitors. No wonder they always seem to be ill-mannered.
— E.W. Leazer
Salisbury