Classic moments

It's easy to remember when The News-Herald Classic takes place — every year, it's the same weekend as the NCAA Final Four.

The Classic has a different name than when I was in high school. Back then, during the 1980s, it was known as the "East-West All-Star Game."

Teams had players from the eastern half of Lake County, or the western part, which also included the far eastern section of Cuyahoga County.

When I was a senior in high school in 1985, I served as the manager for the West team. It was a fabulous experience to serve the best of the best in Lake County water and deliver towels at halftime.

I won't soon forget that year's Final Four, because I was a fan of St. John's men's basketball team — particularly Chris Mullin. St. John lost to Georgetown in the semifinal, but lost to Villanova in the final game.

Ah, memories.

As for the current state of this all-star game, it's evolved from just two games to an entertainment event. At halftime of both the boys and girls games, a three-point shootout wowed the crowd. To see highlights of the shootouts, check the video on www.News-Herald.com.

Remembering King

I turned 18 months old the day the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn. You can probably imagine that I don't remember it.

But, today, I join millions of Americans in a look back at King's legacy of civil disobedience and respectful challenge of authority while stressing non-violence as the most effective method of change.

Check out Friday's edition of The News-Herald, which includes a story on our meeting with six members of our readership area who discussed the status of King's dream for a world in which skin color didn't matter.

The package extends online, too, with a peek into the conference room as the participants shared how racism touched their lives and how they think the world has changed since King energized America.

While you're at www.News-Herald.com, download a word search puzzle created by a Willoughby Middle School student.

Inconvenience

When I hear about construction, it ruins my day. Most times, it's not even in the paths I travel each day. But, somehow, I sense it will impact me.

Usually I'm right. It happens at the strangest times, too. Sometimes it's when I'm running errands and I forget that traffic is re-routed, or that two lanes were condensed to one.

My day was ruined recently when I discovered the entrance to westbound State Route 2 at Lloyd Road will be closed while highway work is completed.

No, I don't normally take that route; I use the eastbound ramp. However, I sense traffic will back up and make me late.

Last summer, basically the eastern portion of Cuyahoga County was under construction. Getting stuck on Mayfield Road a couple times for more than an hour left me afraid to venture into that neighborhood for months.

Sadly, it's that time again, when we sprout our crop of orange barrels. And some will impact my commute to work. I'll grumble along with the rest of you and dream of the day when the highway will be smooth and the path wider.

Until then, we're in for some long drives each day.