We're looking for interesting people stories all year round

At the end of last year, I put out a call to readers to submit recommendations for our annual “Ten Most Interesting” features. We asked readers to nominate people worthy of a special story about some of the cool, unique and fun things people in our community do on a regular basis.

Just last week, I asked for your help again, seeking input on ideas to make our feature section, Tidelines, a more enjoyable, better read product. Thanks to those of you who have sent your thoughts. For those who haven’t had the chance yet, I’d still like to get feedback from you.

As we continue to look at this section, one thing we know we want to do is write more stories about everyday folks who have interesting lives and hobbies.

Pardon me for sounding a bit morbid, but have you ever stopped and read the Beacon’s obituary pages? Far too often we get an obituary for a person, read his or her life story and are amazed at what was accomplished. Too many times we’ve discussed them asking one another if anyone knew the person or anything about their life.

Unfortunately, many times, the first time we hear about some of the people that live here is when it’s too late to get to know them. While we find it an honor to memorialize residents’ lives by providing the community with an obituary and photo, we want to do more. We want to hear these stories—we want to tell these stories—before a person dies.

To do that we need your help. While our reporters spend a good deal of time in the communities we cover, no one knows the people and places of a particular neighborhood quite as well as the people who live there. We’d love it if you’d take the time to tell us about some of the interesting people you know in Brunswick County.

As we know, there are many residents who have relocated to Brunswick as a retirement haven. Maybe they’ve left behind a life on Wall Street or with NASA. Maybe before moving here, someone managed a Fortune 500 company or started a church. Maybe you know someone who has missioned in remote locations or studied abroad in a far-off land.

All these stories are worth noting. They’re all something we want to hear.

As we move forward in 2008, we’re planning on providing you with the same type of quality news you’ve come to expect from us, but at the same time, we’re looking for some more light-hearted pieces—the type that remind all of us why we love this county so much.

And these stories don’t have to come just from new people who are making their homes here. There are many, many people who have lived in Brunswick County their entire lives and have made big contributions to our community. Or maybe you know someone out there that has a unique skill, craft or hobby. Maybe you know someone who tirelessly volunteers or champions for an important cause.

If you have the time to share his or her name, phone number and a brief description of why you think he or she is worth a story, we want to hear about it.

As always, you can reach me a number of ways. You can always e-mail me at editor@brunswickbeacon.com. You can send a fax to 754-5407 or drop a line in the mail to Stacey Manning, editor, P.O. Box 2558, Shallotte, NC 28470.

And of course you can always give me a call. You can reach me at 754-6890, ext. 17. If I miss your call, please leave a message with your name and number and the name and phone number of the person you think is interesting. Also, don’t forget to tell us why you think he or she may be worth a story.

But don’t stop with peopleee do you know of an interesting, historic or cool place in Brunswick County that has a story that needs to be told? Send the idea on to us and we’ll be glad to share it with the rest of the world.