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You are here: News Sun News Deswood Tome's picks: Top 5 best stories of 2017

Deswood Tome's picks: Top 5 best stories of 2017

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Memorial Day story coverage tops this list

1. “Memorial Day in full bloom” by Tom Hartsock. With this piece, the Sun captured the spirit of the veteran holiday while showcasing its importance.

The number of participants illustrates that fallen soldiers are acknowledged for their service in keeping America safe and at peace.

Accompanying the written story was a cadre of event photos by several photographers capturing Gallup’s diversity gathering for the commemoration of fallen soldiers.

2. “Haatiishaa aaldi nei (Autoimmune Disease)” by Greg McNeil. In his two-part story, instructor and clinical counselor Greg McNeil writes about the 88 types of autoimmune diseases.  Some include lupus, colitis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, psoriasis, cardiovascular, seizures, chronic fatigue syndrome, Hashimoto, inflammatory bowel and rheumatoid arthritis.

Part two of his story reflects on Navajo history.  Searching through the Navajo museum he finds no photographs of the early Navajo people being overweight.

McNeil concludes that change can occur in all of us, with healthier choices, patience, and understanding what is not good for us.

3. “Diné Dentist brings career, family to Gallup” by Boderra Joe. Dr. DezBaa Damon-Mallette returned to the local area after serving four years in emote Alaskan villages.

Now with Rainaldi Dental, Damon-Mallette focuses on patient care.  Dr. Lidio Rainaldi compliments her compassion and warmness to patients.  Her addition to his staff allows him more quality time with patients.

She serves in a field that was meant for her showing her patients she cares about their health.

4. “During a cold winter, GPD officers take steps to serve their community” by Rick Abasta. The ride along story gets in the trenches and gives readers an up close look at what the Gallup police and Community Service Aides do to save lives.

Gallup suffered four exposure related deaths in 2016.

5. “Mud (Hastł’ishnii) film debuts at Sundance” Staff Reports. Last summer was production season for Mud, a film written and directed by Shaandiin Tome that portrays the character of Ruby, whose relationship with her teenaged son Joseph is inhibited by alcohol.

In September, Mud crew and talent spent five days in Gallup shooting their film from Saturday to Monday.

On Dec. 4, the Sundance Institute selected 60 short films out of 9,000 submissions.  With a less than one percent chance, Mud made it to the 2018 Film Festival.

Mud will bring attention to Gallup through the screen. Tome and Aroonsri Khamsamran, producer, will enter Mud in film festivals throughout the United States and around the world.

They plan to bring the 2018 Sundance Film selection to Gallup on Feb. 9.

By Deswood Tome
Sun Correspondent

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