One of my duties as a foreman for the Neighborhood Hero Award Committee was to notify the three contenders of their losses or wins. Although proper etiquette would have entailed face to face conversations with the candidates, I chose to call Josh Bender and Kate Nicholson, informing them of their win and loss.
Excited by the news, Josh kept thanking me over and over.
I told him, “The city of Plimpton will mail out your check tomorrow. Expect it within the next two days. Plus, you’ll be expected to ride on a float in the Plimpton Fourth of July Parade this year.”
Thrilled, he told me, “No problem.”
We talked for the next few minutes about his other obligations as the title’s winner.
Thereafter, I phoned Kate Nicholson, who wasn’t at all surprised she had lost.
“The award wasn’t import
