Why Virginia Bennett and why this blog?

If you know Virginia Bennett, you know that she is blog-worthy.

I met Virginia Bennett at my first “real” (meaning, post-college) job, The Dallas Morning News, in Dallas, Texas. That means I have known Virginia Bennett for more than 20 years and she is still one of the most memorable, funny, warm, wise, engaging people I have ever known. Oh, and this is important: Virginia Lysbeth Weaver Bennett will be 90 years old in October 2009.

Back in the day
When Virginia (retiring) and I (another job) left The News in the ‘80s, I worked with co-workers to make her a scrapbook. This was pre-scrapbooking craze days but it was still a pretty nifty little book. It contained photos (even Polaroids) and best wishes from co-workers as well as a collection of things unique to Virginia: her priceless expressions (“She’s as common as pig tracks”), list of her zany mishaps through the years and sage advice, mainly to heartbroken young women.

Can blog equal scrapbook?
She loves that book but it’s falling apart. That’s why I want to use this blog to record my thoughts and memories of her and then open it to others for the same. If you know old-style newsroom people, you know they are hard to impress. But even in the hard-drinking, foul-mouthed City Room of the ‘70s, ‘80s and before, our Virginia made an impression. She was loved, laughed at, admired and even treasured.

I want this to be Virginia’s 90th birthday present. And no, she’s not online. But I can always print stuff out.