Thursday, June 27, 2002 | 8:31 a.m.
The first time I met Ann Landers (Eppie Lederer) I was amazed that such a petite and pretty lady could be so dynamic.
She was in Las Vegas to speak to a women's club. Because she was a columnist in the Sun, I was delegated to accompany her. That was a lucky day for me because we struck up a friendship that lasted through the years.
Ann Landers, who died on Saturday, made several speeches in Las Vegas to high school students and adults. She was always received with enthusiasm and respected for her no-nonsense approach. She didn't back away from sensitive subjects and emphasized every point in her unusually strong voice.
She was always proud that the Sun was one of the first newspapers to carry her syndicated column, and we were equally proud to have her. Through her over 40-year career, she became the confidante and advisor to thousands. She never lost her enthusiasm and compassion.
Ann Landers' success was due in great part to natural common sense and a network of professionals to whom she could go for information.
I treasure my autographed copy of her book, "Since You Asked Me." It has special significance because, strange as it sounds, there was an occasion when Ann Landers asked me for some advice.
Some time later I received her book with the inscription, "With warm regards to a girl with an understanding heart." It was signed "Ann Landers, Las Vegas 12/16/61."
No doubt thousands of readers will mourn her passing. Others will celebrate her life, which was dedicated to making the road a bit easier for all who sought her help.
If you ever wondered why the problems facing the Social Security system end in much talk and little action, consider this:
Senators and congressmen do not pay Social Security, nor do they collect from it.
In their great wisdom, they voted their own retirement package, which is rock-solid and pays far greater benefits than Social Security.
Put them all in the Social Security plan and you can be sure they would have greater interest in the plan's survival and general health.
MSNBC's recent program "Summit for a Cure," hosted by Brian Williams, was an example of what television can do to educate and inform.
The program featured prominent doctors, an actual heart operation, actor Christopher Reeve, actress Fran Dreschler, an AIDS activist and many others.
The message was one of hope for persons suffering devastating diseases -- cancer, heart problems, Alzheimer's disease and others.
For two hours experts expounded on the future of medicine and research. It was television at its best.
When Glee's Party Shop closed its doors in the Westland Mall off Charleston Avenue, it was like losing an old friend.
The same can be said for the closing of Adam's Western Store at 1415 Western Ave., near the area where another longtime business, Poppa Gars Restaurant, folded when its owner retired.
As big business takes over and the little guys go, a part of Las Vegas' history is lost.
That's sad.
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