History in the making

November 05, 2008

Christie Kulavich

Barack Obama secured the election tonight. What an exciting moment in history.

It’s 1:45 a.m. and the newsroom is still hopping. Be sure to pick up tomorrow’s Dothan Eagle to read our comprehensive election coverage on local, state and national elections.

It’s getting exciting in here

November 04, 2008

Christie Kulavich

The newsroom is much more alive than it usually is at 9 p.m.

We polished off a ton of Domino’s pizza and chicken kickers, and now we are settled in to keep the information stream going for readers. We’ll be updating the Web site throughout the night with totals and stories. We are also working on bringing a comprehensive package for your Wednesday morning paper.

By the way, some of the newsroom folks did indeed head over to the Starbucks at Target to get our free ‘I Voted’ cup of coffee. It was totally worth the drive across town while smushed in the back of the big cheese’s car.

Voting at Taylor Town Hall

Lauren Champlin

My husband and I voted around 11 a.m. The line was outside the building, which surprised me. I didn’t know how many people would come out to vote in Taylor.

Everyone was friendly. We waited about 20 minutes. I always look forward to receiving my “I Voted” sticker. Voting is a privilege and a freedom we have in America. We shouldn’t take it for granted. I encourage everyone to vote today, no matter how long the lines are.

Election nightmares

Carole Brand

I didn’t sleep well last night due to the elections.

I have to blame Obama and McCain for my sleepless night. I dreamed of Obama dressed up in a Halloween costume, and McCain in sweat pants with Palin at his side dressed up like an Eskimo and holding a fishing rod.

I finally woke up, with just enough energy to go to my polling place. I timed everything so I would arrive at exactly 7 a.m.

I had hoped to “waltz” in, vote and go to work with coffee in hand. But at the polls I found another nightmare.

There were lots of people lined up.

I am not good with people first thing in the morning, especially after a restless, weird “election dream” night.

I was not in the mood to speak to anyone, but it seemed as though people wanted to talk to me.

“Explain Amendment One to me,“ someone asked me.

I wanted to say, “just vote yes on all of them,“ but I didn’t.

I was polite and smiled. Then I went on to explain what Amendment One was all about.

“I guess I’ll vote yes,“ the person replied.

I just shrugged my shoulders and took another sip from my coffee cup.

I thought, “please don’t ask me anymore questions. I just want to vote and get out of here. This is my right and my time and I just want to do it.”

With that, I was finally next in line. Thank goodness.

I’m so excited to vote for the first time

Christie Kulavich

I voted for the first time ever today, and man am I proud.

I had always been of the “my vote doesn’t count, so why bother” mindset, but that changed this year. I decided to stop complaining about things that I do nothing to change. Maybe I’m getting wiser in my old age. (Thanks, Dad!)

I registered a few weeks ago, and have been hanging on to that voter card, excited to head over to the Houston-Love Memorial Library.

I was kind of nervous. I had no idea what to expect. I left the house at 1 p.m., hoping I could make it to work by 2 p.m.

I was in and out in 30 seconds.

Here’s a hint at the library: Follow the little white feet on the floor to the community room. This newbie had to ask. I walked up to my K table, handed my ID and my voter registration card, which apparently, I didn’t need.

I sat down at the table, voted and then followed the crowd one of the two machines, which read 1240 when I put my ballot in, and got my ‘I voted’ sticker. It made me a little teary-eyed. It was quite the movie moment.

Sadly, my sticker flew off three times before it finally flew away in the parking lot at work. Oh well. I still have the memories.