Sharing via Susan Almond Goodman ~ “Cheers” qualified as reality TV — if real life included scripts by literary masters and performances by award-winning actors. Many neighborhoods boast places “where everybody knows your name,” nevertheless. In the best joints “regular” seems not only a designation but an honorific. It probably belongs on resumes. Karen (Almond) Crowder was a regular in the best sense of the word. Her haunts included Bogart’s (now closed) and Flinn’s. Barkeeps, imbibers and diners anticipated her presence. Nights were imperfect if she did not show. Crowder had a gift for friendship; she put the person sitting next to her at instant ease. She remembered family details and would ask about nieces and nephews; she collected strays, reassured lonely hearts and shared celebrations. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, she rooted with passion for the basketball Rams. She enjoyed hearing that a fellow regular watched one of VCU’s games during its run to the Final Four on television in Jerusalem. Karen Crowder died just before Thanksgiving. Several days after her passing, family and friends gathered at Flinn’s to pay tribute. Her body was absent but her spirit animated the surroundings. Her sweet soul enjoys repose. WEEK’S END, Editor of the Editorial Pages, Richmond Times Dispatch Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 Todays Top Opinion: Weeks End Wrap-Up Todd Culbertson Editor of the Editorial Pages
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 10:39:30 +0000