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Readers say they will miss works of long-time letter writer [UPDATED]
Published 11:14am Wednesday, March 14, 2012 Updated 11:23am Wednesday, March 14, 2012Long-time letters to the editor writer Maryann Shores, 89, died Saturday, March 10. Her unique style of writing will be missed by many readers.
Enjoying the writing of Shores, while in Fergus Falls, is former Daily Journal staff writer Amie Steffen who is now employed at the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier in her home state of Iowa. She continued to read Shores’ letters on the Daily Journal website.
“I’m sorry I never got the privilege of meeting her in person,” said Steffen. “I’m sure she was a very nice lady.”
Shores’ letters were short and to the point. Even so, many readers reread each letter to come up with their own analysis of what Shores was trying to drive home.
An example is a letter that was published on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.
“Like deer in a deep winter wood, we discover that silence is good.
Our brief bodies holding the essence of light, unfinished and hidden from everyday sight. We feel and know eternal being. Our cosmic complexity finally freeing. For one hour weekly, come in and see the consumation of humanity.”
Shores also had a website and spoke about Noetic art, based upon the Greek “noos” which refers to the mind.
“My Noetic Art is intended to stimulate thought, somewhat like a riddle does,” said Shores.
The work, noted Shores, was originally inspired by the writings of Teilhard de Chardin and presents many old ideas in a new light.
Shores said that she wanted to “maintain her identity in the complexity of greater reality,” a quote from the French Jesuit priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, whose life she studied and on whose philosophy she was an expert.
Shores enjoyed living in Fergus Falls, as noted by this letter to the editor from Dec. 1, 2011.
“Here is more evidence that you are now in Fergus Falls, Minnesota: girls kick the snow out of their flip-flops. It is so cold the geese are wearing ear muffs. And last but not least, There are Blonde Angles at reception desks in dental offices. Nurses in the hospital and many other Nordick places.”
She also urged people to slow down if life. Witness this letter from Dec. 7, 2010.
“We are getting help in all of the U.S. As fast as time, and human frailty allows. At the same time, we help everyone else we can, as we see the human needs of our eroding planet.”
Over the years Shores praised the good work of many people. This letter appeared on July 22, 2009.
“I don’t think that most people realize what a 21st century miracle our hospital is. First the people: The doctors and nurses invest their lives in our health and healing. For example, some doctors spend 24 years getting the education necessary to fulfill their calling: 12 years of elementary and high school, 12 years of college, medical school and post-grad work.
“Many nurses have children and families who also require TLC day and night. The technological equipment used these days for diagnosis and treatments are beyond what could have been imagined a year or two ago. The hospital here is a preview of what is being done for humanity.”
A memorial service is 1 p.m. Friday, March 16, at First United Church of Christ in Fergus Falls.
