ED is now PI

Sometimes articles we write trigger intriguing discussions in the newsroom. That happened after I wrote "In memory of a lost son" (East Oregonian, 04/22/10).

While doing a precede story about today’s March for Babies, Melissa Hays said the reason her and her husband, Shawn, lost their first-born son was due to cervical incompetence. When she said this I kind of tilted my head sideways.

“That really is the medical terminology,” she said.

Associate Publisher Kathryn Brown, who previously worked as a registered nurse and family nurse practitioner, left me a voice mail saying the term "cervical incompetence" should be changed.

Think about it, when men have medical problems related to their family jewels, it’s called erectile dysfunction. Why not penile incompetence? The female condition that causes the cervix to weaken could instead be called cervical dysfunction.

I sent a Facebook message to Melissa and she concurs.

Beamer beams

When Barbara Hodgen called me earlier this week to say she read my recent column ("Varsity letter arrives four decades later," East Oregonian 03/26/10), and had a similar story, I was all ears. ("Good things come to those who wait," East Oregonian 04/17/10)

Her father, Larry Beamer, was named "Young Farmer of the Year" in 1960 by the Pendleton Chamber of Commerce. However, he left the awards banquet empty handed as the plaque hadn't arrived. 

***The Pendleton chamber rectified that by presenting him with the plaque as well as giving him a "cold" branding.

*** Barbara Hodgen proudly poses for a photo with her father, Larry Beamer, after he waited five decades to be presented with his "Young Farmer of the Year" plaque.