YDR Insider

I just received a phone call that wiped away all the difficult, trying and unappreciated efforts that are part of working in a newsroom.

Ruth Lentz called to let us know that the article about her husband this past Sunday had spawned an outpouring of support and praise. This was the story on the sports cover headlined “The man who turned down the NBA.”

The first feedback they heard on this article about her husband, Art, who rejected a $600-a-month offer from the Baltimore Bullets in the early ’50s, came from the emergency department at York Hospital. People there were buzzing about the piece. The Lentz’s daughter works there and was telling everyone that this was her father.

In church on Sunday, the pastor mentioned the article about the man who said of the NBA, “you wouldn’t want to leave your own home for that type of thing.” The congregation gave him a round of applause.

And then their insurance agent showed up at their door. That’s right. Their insurance agent. He had an armful of laminated copies of the newspaper articles with him. One for the Lentzes and one for each of their kids.

Ruth Lentz told me that she just wanted us to know how grateful they were for the positive story. We talked about what a quintessential York County story this is. One of someone choosing to live here, rather than longing to escape or quietly suffering this fate.

And Ruth mentioned how polite and patient and respectful Reporter Jim Seip and Photographer Chris Dunn were when they interviewed Mr. Lentz.

I told Ruth that as it is with so many things in life, we tend to hear about it when we make a mistake or rub someone the wrong way with an article. The positive feedback is all too rare.

Thanks a million, Mrs. Lentz, for taking the time to let us know how this article came across. Just as I would tell you if you had called with a complaint, I can assure you that we will put this feedback to use.

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool.