But what would Ron have thought?
I think just about everyone who ever knew or worked with Ron Minard winced at the discovery of his untimely death. (For those of you who don’t know, Ron was the editor and co-founder of our fine city’s glossy Harrisburg Magazine.)

Ron’s passing made me realize, again, how death is a funny thing. I genuinely believe there is no right way to “feel” towards the passing of a loved one, friend, or acquaintance. Anger, despair, emptiness, relief, joy are all feelings that can pass through the body and the soul, sometimes simultaneously, when we discover that “one of ours” has moved on.

I looked up to Mr. Minard, not that anybody knew that, until now. There was, for a time, the possibility that I might have been able to collaborate with Ron, and it excited and motivated me. His wit and conviction were no less than inspirational, and I enjoyed conversing with him, often hanging on every word. My minutes with Ron were rare instances where I did little talking, if any. I just loved to listen to him. Even after we had a few. :-)

Which brings me back to why death is a funny thing.

Of the people I know who knew Ron, not one could remember him without conjuring up a tale of imbibing fun. His passing, to a degree, not only filled our hearts with sorrow but also sparked memories of a man who enjoyed life vicariously. While wild abandon may not sum up Ron’s day-to-day demeanor, it certainly defined his debating skills at the cocktail bar. Ron Minard will, from the day he died, be remembered by his legacy of Harrisburg Magazine, his achievements as editor of the Patriot-News, his dedication to journalism and his community, and his ability to balance a martini glass on the back of his hand after an even dozen. (Just kidding, Ron.)

I will sincerely miss you, senor Minard, for the times we should have shared.

So, it is in the spirit of Ron’s sense of humor that I dedicate this issue of MODE Weekly in his name. You see, as it has happened in the past, it seems that both the creative staff of Harrisburg Magazine, and the asylum inmates here at MODE shared a similar idea for their June, 2001 cover stories.

While Harrisburg Magazine dedicated their cover feature to “The Loves Of Our Life,” a positive tribute to “our pets,” MODE Weekly was working on a feature about Harrisburg’s Humane Society and how they have to enuthanize (kill) 15 of “our pets” every day.

I can imagine quite clearly a picture of Ron, sitting in his office, feet up, reading our gritty little story on how miserable some people can be towards their pets, with a smile on his face. It’s not a story that would ever appear in Harrisburg Magazine. The Patriot is too conservative (or lethargic) to bother with a story like this. And, quite frankly, local TV wouldn’t dare “gross out” their viewing audience with pictures of dead animals or a cremation incinerator.

Which leaves it up to us, MODE Weekly. That little bi-weekly newspaper that stands to lose nothing by flipping over the slimy rocks to see what crawls out from beneath.

Again, I truly believe if Ron and myself ever actually got together it would surely have been a remarkable little rocket ride. Alas, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I sit at my desk wondering about death, missing my dad, and thinking about my little boy, Quinn.

Kick some ass wherever you are, Ron, and don’t worry, I won’t stop making fun of Harrisburg Magazine just because you’ve taken up an administrative role.
Appreciate today and live every minute like it was your last. As fate so often demonstrates, our next minute really could be our last.

Scot Giambalvo