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I suppose I should make some confessions to journalscapers who AREN'T from Calhoun County...

Seem odd that I feel a need to do so?

Not really, since there are at least five of us here with ties to Calhoun.

I first discovered journalscape when I (like many others in our community) were drawn to the blog of The Lone MethRanger. Knowing that someone in our community was causing such a fuss (such a fuss!) was an irresistable draw.

While here, I discovered that JPHaines, at Edge of The Abyss, was once a Calhoun resident. How did I know? He posted an entry about bullies - specifically a memory about the author of The Lone MethRanger.

"That's interesting," I thought.

Then, caught up in the personalities of other journalscape blogs, I started this one of my own.

And then, the bug caught.

I was surprised to discover another Calhoun blog,Grantsvilles Newest Gossip, which, frankly, makes me roll my eyes alot.

Then, I discovered a single entry at Calhoun County West Virginia Journal, which invited the people to "speak." One comment came in, noting, "I guess everyone and their brother in Calhoun County is going to have a journalscape blog now."

There has been no activity there since.

Why do I tell you all this?

Because I'm in an odd position...

The LoneMethRanger has printed things I could not print. I cannot validate some of his entries, and some I could - but then again can't. (Not officially anyway.)

JPHaines has become the subject of a "Calhouner done good" piece I'm doing for the paper.

The others? Well, let's just say I am still rolling my eyes.

The point of all this is that:
I know the state police are monitoring these blogs,
I am embarrased for Calhoun County,
and reading blogs has become a mix of pleasure and work.

I wonder if other journalscapers realize how all these things tie together - even though all these blogs are technically not related.

So, let me say - there are a lot of really good people in Calhoun County. Yes, we have some problems with cops, and maybe have a few odd characters. (Some more odd than others.)

If you have begun to think that Calhoun is just a terrible, terrible place, with crooked cops and prosecutors and judges - well,

I guess you'll just have to sit back with the rest of our community, and we'll see what comes out in the wash.

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Want to know more about DeLaHaye? Visit her web site at WV Travelers , or her online store at Impecunious Impressions, or read her weekly column at The Calhoun Chronicle.