Editor:

Your newspaper features a sports section. My question: why isn't there a section for the arts? It would especially be nice to feature the GCHS Marching Cougars once in a while. Don't get me wrong, you put the band in your paper about once a month, but a little more coverage would be nice.

Here in Grayson County, the Marching Cougars have placed in the top 10 in the west region of the state of Kentucky for two straight years. The Cougar football program hasn't gone to the playoffs since 1986. You're probably thinking, "That isn't anything because the athletic teams make regionals all the time." Well you're right, but the regions are divided a little differently. In marching band there are only two regions in the state, therefore the Marching Cougars face much more competition than your average athletic program.

All I'm asking is why doesn't the marching band get a bit more attention from your newspaper? Is the answer because you think the band is for weaklings and the band doesn't put in as much work as the athletic programs? The marching band begins practicing in the middle of July and doesn't finish until late October. Also, the band performs at every home football game; every Saturday from September through October the band performs in a competition against other local bands.

With a little coverage of the Marching Cougars in your paper, I guarantee your newspaper sales will increase. -- Adam L. Decker, Leitchfield.

Dear Mr. Decker:

If I may borrow from a cliche' ... you're preaching to the band parent. I am the proud mother and band booster of a senior Glasgow Scottie Band student and for the past three years I've spent my two-week vacations at band camp in July and August.

This is my second year serving as head chaperone for the band. I know your arguments. Band kids are some of the most devoted and hardworking people I have ever had the privilege to know.

Please understand, more band coverage in the newspaper is not due to a lack of interest on our part. Reporters simply can't get to everything that needs to be covered. We solved the problem in Glasgow by appointing a band parent publicity chairperson who takes photos and pertinent information and submits them to the local paper.

On a personal note, I was very pleased to see the name of the Grayson County Marching Cougars on the list of competitors at this Saturday's Glasgow Scottie Band Classic. I look forward to seeing the band perform. -- Lisa Simpson Strange, News-Gazette publisher .