I am not one who easily takes compliments or even a thank you. Recently, however, I have received a couple of emails from people thanking me for getting the word out and updating everyone about something I have written.

Messages like these give me a weird, warm feeling, so I am passing them along as updates to the readers because it is you who deserve the credit.

Bob Witchen of the Bradford American Legion Post 108 wrote a quick note, “Just wanted to let you know we just hit 2,000 wreaths to place and are now shooting for 2,900 by December.”

Wreaths Across America had a two-for-one sponsorship that ended recently. This helped the Legion close in on its 3,000-wreath goal — the number needed to cover all the graves in the four cemeteries of the Bradford area.

Wreaths Across America is an event that I hold dear for a few reasons, but mostly because of what it taught my son. When he was still in high school, he was a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, and his squadron went to Washington, D.C., to lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. Bringing the event closer to home, laying wreaths on the graves of those who served the country from this area, while teaching children what it means to be a veteran, is something special.

Thank you for the update, Bob, and for letting me continue to be a part of it; I know the Legion will meet the goal this year.

Another message came in just as I was about to log out for the night. Movie producer Jim Kuhn wrote to let readers know that “Crossing Paths 2: No Way Out,” held its premiere Jan. 7 at Movies 8 in Boardman, Ohio. He said there were 134 people in the audience who spun up a huge applause as the movie ended. Cubestream is now showing “Crossing Paths” and “Crossing Paths 2: No Way Out.”

This is the second film by Smokey Bear Productions and features David Gallup, a local actor known to some as “David the Native.” Kuhn added that Gallup wasn’t able to attend the premiere due to weather but he wanted him to know, “We love having David on our team and we look forward to having him in many more of our movies in the future. As an actor, David is a gem in the rough.”

Both movies intertwine the lives of people involved in crime, there are those battling alcohol and drugs, the mob plays a role as do the police, and, as each story unfolds, the characters seem like somebody you know personally. Viewers want so much for each of the characters, but will their lives turn out the way you imagine? Is there really no way out?

Thank you, Jim, for updating us about the release and where to find it. We hope to hear back on the next venture.

As a reporter, it is part of my job to relay the happenings of our community to the readership. The meetings of the municipal leaders, events that come and go each week, new businesses to check out, retirements of those in the community that nearly everybody knows, state business, and sometimes matters that affect the lives of my friends and neighbors.

It’s not a difficult job, really. I can be a talker. But more importantly, I can be a listener. I want to get the story from the mouth of those who are witnessing the action, experiencing the event, planning the gathering. Sometimes, the words a person utters surprise me. Without thinking, somebody will say to me, “It’s like we have known each other for years,” even though we had just met for the interview. And, I love when that happens, when a person is so comfortable speaking to me and sharing their thoughts.

And, it’s nice to be able to share good news. Readers are the ones who make this happen.

(Email Mandy Colosimo at m.colosimo@bradfordera.com)