NEWSPAPERS don't just exist to report on the bad news - sometimes they can be very useful vehicles for making new contacts and surprising people in a pleasant way.
That’s just what happened last week for Kilfennan woman Janet McDermott, an amateur photographer from Kilfennan who happened to take a beautiful photograph of a buggy driver on Benone beach during the summer.
Keen to ensure the buggy driver recei
ved a copy of the photo, Janet contacted The Sentinel and the photograph was printed on September 16, with an appeal for anyone who knew the mystery horseman to get in touch - and get in touch they certainly did, as Janet explained...
“Thanks to the Sentinel, I found out that same afternoon the man in my photograph is 79-year-old Frank Donaldson,” said a delighted Janet.
“The information came from a very helpful gentleman called Andy Usher, a close friend of Frank’s, and I would like to thank Andy for taking the time to ring me.
“The icing on the cake came later that evening, when Joyce, Frank’s wife rang me. She told me their phone had not stopped ringing with people telling Frank his photo was in The Sentinel,” Janet revealed, before adding: “She went on to say they loved the photograph and Frank can’t wait to get a copy of it, which was brilliant news. I was delighted!”
That opportunity came on Monday and The Sentinel photographer went out to Kilfennan to capture the moment when the photograph was handed over.
The staff at The Sentinel are delighted that this is one story with a happy ending, as is Janet , who added: “I still can’t believe the man in my photo will be 80 in March. There is a lot to be said about sea air!”
