To the Readers' Forum:
The world has lost a great citizen and I have lost a great friend. I considered Sam Paladino more than a friend actually, more like family. He certainly changed my life in so many ways that people cannot even begin to imagine.
Sam's dedication and passion was for the arts. A very talented individual, in 1953, he started performing with the Little Theater of Jamestown company, a more evolved version of the first acting company Lucille Ball performed with to start off her career. For the next 50-plus years, he dedicated his life to that theater. He served as board president twice and headed up the initiative to refurbish the current building that the now Lucille Ball Little Theater is located in today. He did this not for himself, but for his community. That's what I loved about him the most. The fact that he put other people's best interest before his.
I am taking this time to ask those of you who care about our community to put our community first. They say that the generations of today are not as committed as previous generations. We need to show them that we are and that we have what it takes to keep places like Little Theater going. To those who would like to honor Sam's memory, a donation or a membership in his honor would make Sam's hopes for the future of the theater continue. He made it possible for the doors to open in the first place ... we need to make sure they stay open.
Rest in peace, Sam ... and thank you for the memories ...
If you would like to make a donation or become a member, contact the Lucille Ball Little Theater, 18 E. Second St., Jamestown, N.Y., 14701; 483-1095.
Cameron Hurst, 14
Junior Guilder