We regularly try different things in our editorial department to see what response we’ll get from readers.

Sometimes we add a new feature; sometimes we take away an old one.

We recently began running front page photos taken and submitted by readers. That has been a big success, and many of the photos being submitted are really good. Sometimes when we ask readers to submit content for various contests, special publications, etc., we don’t get a lot of response. But the popularity of this added feature, with its reader participation, has been a pleasant surprise.

There are times we think something must not be working for us anymore because we don’t get a lot of feedback or suggestions for interview subjects. But when we leave that particular feature out a few issues in a row, sure enough, we’ll get a call.

And while there may be only one or two calls or letters on some subjects, there are other things near and dear to some of our readers’ hearts.

For instance, there have been times we’ve not run a Thomas Sowell editorial column in at least one issue during a week’s time. Each time, the calls and letters decrying our action poured in.

And recently, we did not run jail bookings for a period of time. Again, calls and letters poured into our office. Even a St. Tammany Parish Jail inmate — a subscriber to our newspaper — was unhappy about the exclusion.

One way we can gauge our success as an editorial team is with feedback. We want it. Heck, we need it.

We don’t always like the comments we get, but we like the fact we’ve stirred conversation.

Sometimes the criticism we receive is unjust, but we like that we’ve been able to evoke such passion in our readers.

Sometimes the criticism we receive is deserved. Those calls keep us on our toes.

And there are the calls and letters from readers who just want to say they enjoyed a story or thank us for addressing a topic. That feedback reminds us regularly why we do this job.

If there is something you’d like to see in St. Tammany News, give me a call or send me an email at sandy.cunningham@wickcommunications.com. Let me know what features you like and what you don’t. Let me know what topics are most important to you that you’d like to see covered. Basically, let me know what you think.

M M M

A woman many Slidell area residents got to know well during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Karen Lee Bourdeaux, unexpectedly died July 11. We received a letter from her brother, Robert Ball, this week, and he’s asking that folks who met Bourdeaux leave a message on her page at www.legacy.com.

Following is his letter:

“My baby sister, Karen Lee Bourdeaux, passed away unexpectedly on July 11 at the age of 46 in Maryland, where she lived. Many Slidell residents came to know Karen when she opened and ran a shelter at a high school in Slidell in the days immediately after Katrina. She, along with her son Jason and sister Jennie Wallace, drove from Maryland to Slidell, equipped only with what they could fit in her car and a spirit of having to do something to help.

“As a nurse Karen had basic medical training but was asked to perform services above and beyond her book knowledge. She took charge of the shelter, never refusing help to anyone in need. She dealt with the challenges of the situation and delivered babies, set broken limbs, performed surgeries and fought an outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease. Karen helped because she was called to do so.

“Her dream was to return to Slidell to check on those she helped, but she died before being able to do that. She was buried in a Slidell Katrina T-shirt.

“As her brother, it would be very uplifting for her family to hear from those she helped. They can leave a message on her page on www.legacy.com. Karen leaves behind six sons and a wonderfully supportive husband, a mom and dad, two brothers and sisters, and a host of loved ones.”

Our area was extremely blessed by others in the days, weeks and months following Hurricane Katrina. If you knew Karen, please take the time to let the family know just how much she was appreciated.

Sandy Cunningham is general manager/managing editor of St. Tammany News. She can be reached at sandy.cunningham@wickcommunications.com