IN 2011, where news can get around the world in a split second, it is interesting to see how some stories capture the attention and passion of the public and sort of take on a life of their own. Then they spawn additional stories and so on. It is amazing to see! If you are a viewer of YouTube videos, you are probably familiar with the term "viral." We're not talking about plum pox virus, but something that captivates people's attention and is widely watched — in the case of YouTube — literally around the world. A case in point resulted from Clemson University's annual Peach Field Day that was held on July 21 (note story in this issue by Editor Brian Sparks on page 10). Kim Severson, Atlanta Bureau Chief for the New York Times, came to our field day with the goal of tasting and learning about peaches and talking with growers from South Carolina and Georgia about their friendly rivalry. I had first talked with Kim back in 2009 when she was working on a story about the "underground fruit economy." She had read my March 2009 American Fruit Grower column entitled "Being a Good Neighbor" and wanted to learn about gleaning.
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