Sometimes we need to have our say, too

One of my goals when I began writing this column was to share with

readers some insights from the newsroom.

I wanted to tell readers why we make the decisions we do and maybe

give some glimpse into the personalities that make up our reporting,

editing and photo staffs.

But another goal was to track down those former staffers who have

gone on to bigger and better things and have them tell me and our

readers what life is like after the Daily Pilot and Newport-Mesa.

One of those I had every intention of catching up with was Anne

Spinn, the Daily Pilot’s former librarian and Looking Back columnist,

who had retired to South Carolina in 1996.

Anne subscribed to the paper via U.S. mail so she stayed up to

date on Newport-Mesa issues. She often corresponded with me via

e-mail, letters or card, sending me congratulatory notes when I got

married and became a father and when I became editor three years ago.

She just sent me a an e-mail a couple months back when we

redesigned the Daily Pilot, thanking us for keeping the boat at the

top of the paper intact.

I knew a column about Anne and her exploits in South Carolina, and

maybe her views of Newport-Mesa from afar, would making for good

reading some day.

Instead, I procrastinated way too long and got one of the saddest

assignments in my life last week as I ended up writing her obituary.

In that story, I solicited comments from those who knew her well,

editors and colleagues and most of all her husband of 47 years,

Gerry. But in news stories, as most of you know, the writer needs to

keep his or her comments or opinions out, so my thoughts weren’t

included.

Nor was I able to get the thoughts from her son, Mark Spinn, a

former Corona del Mar High basketball star.

I’d like to make up for that now.

The following is a part of an e-mail I received from Mark, himself

a former sports writer at the Times Orange County:

In the many gracious, heartfelt notes and calls of sympathy I’ve

received since Mom passed away, I’ve noticed a recurring theme: no

one can remember Mom ever having a bad word to say about anyone.

Of course, if they had been around when I screwed up as a kid

(which was often), they certainly would have heard some extremely

emphatic bad words. On occasion, those words contained only four

letters, and were delivered at a volume level similar to the KISS

concerts I begged her to let me go to.

But, unfailingly, Mom saw the best in everyone. The good is what

she chose to focus on and direct attention to.

Months before the third Star Wars film, “Return of the Jed”” came

out, she even had good words to say about Darth Vader. This I found

hard to believe.

“You’re saying nice things about the Dark Lord of the Sith? No

way.”

I chuckled at such silliness from an apparently overly sentimental

woman, as I was absolutely certain Luke Skywalker would conclude the

film by skewering Darth with a bold, triumphant light saber stroke

and thus crush the evil Empire once and for all. Fist pumps and

high-fives all around.

“Oh, Darth will turn good,” Mom said with absolute confidence.

“Parents protect their children. He won’t be able to hurt Luke, he’ll

help him instead.”

To her (and to many others, I’m sure), that plot turn was obvious.

But, the reason it was obvious to Mom is because her first instinct

was always to see something positive in all of us.

When jump shots were missed, Mom’s words soothed and filled in the

deep chasms of athletic disappointment. When curfews were missed,

Mom’s words were not quite so soothing, but they still resonated with

underlying love and faith in her adolescent revelers.

With Mom, there was no dark side to anyone; not intergalactic bad

guys, not Daily Pilot readers calling to scream at her about a typo

on page 9, not four children who could certainly manage to drive her

crazy in four different ways on any given day.

Seeking the good in people is a trait the citizens and scoundrels

of this world could certainly use much more of, and it’s a trait I’ll

do my best to carry on in honor of my mother

No, Mom didn’t put anyone in the proverbial dog house ... unless

you forgot to put the garbage cans out before trash pick-up day for

the third week in a row.

Sorry about that, Mom. But thanks ever so much for everything

else. I love you.

Mark.

Nothing can ever compare to losing a mother, something I cannot

comprehend because mine is still a big part of my life.

But losing Anne from this world was a big blow to many of us,

including me.

She taught me not just about journalism and Newport-Mesa history

but about how to be patient and kind and understanding.

And when she suffered the heartbreak of having two of her children

pass away before her, she showed me how someone could take a deep

breath, continue to smile and laugh and go on with a life that can

seem so cruel at times.

I’m going to miss your e-mails Anne and most of all I’m going to

miss knowing that you are relaxing on the porch of your South

Carolina home, thinking of good times spent in a place 3,000 miles

away.

*

Two weeks ago, we had the pleasure of playing host to the Webelos

Dragon Patrol of Pack 330.

The visit was one in a continuing number of tours that we provide

to school kids eager to see how the Daily Pilot works.

The visiting Webelos, of whom all but one attend Harbor View

Elementary, were Alex Turney, Andre Mojarro-Busto, Austin Pollard,

Christian Lesko, Connor Garrett, Evan Louri and Hunter Bilotti. Also

in attendance for this field trip, I am told, was Austin Martin, a

Boy Scout and den chief to the Webelos and Christian’s mom Casey

Lesko and sister Erica Lesko and Connor’s mom Lori O’Neill and Den

Leader Nancy Pollard, Austin’s mom.

Thanks for coming and hope you enjoyed it.

* TONY DODERO is the editor. He can be reached at (949) 574-4258

or via e-mail at tony.dodero@latimes.com.