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WICHITA, KS This week will be a sad week for those in Wichita, as another chapter in the town’s history comes to a close. Lester Cassidy has been a security guard at the Wichita Crossings Mall ever since it opened in 1973, and he’ll be turning in his badge, uniform, and flashlight at the end of this week.
Lester is one of the most well-known and well-loved residents of Wichita. He’s watched generations of teen mall rats come and go. He’s given advice. He’s chatted. He’s always been there for a friendly smile and a kind hello. He’s been easily distracted while chatting shoppers’ friends filled their pockets, stuffed their winter jackets with merchandise, and made their escape.
In his 26 years as a mall security guard, Lester has never caught a single shoplifter. He’s never actually prevented a crime. In fact, it’s been reported that approximately 4,293 thefts have occurred during Lester’s shifts, yet he has been unable to prevent a single one. He has, however, informed mall employees of emergency situations, such as severe weather. He’s also expertly managed the successful loading and unloading of displays for annual home shows and craft shows and boat shows. He’s kept employees and patrons alike calm during power outages.
Everyone greets Lester when they come to the mall. In the eyes of Wichita residents, Lester Cassidy is a celebrity. He’s their very own Barney Fife. Things as the mall just won’t be the same without him.
Said an anonymous shoplifter last week, “This sucks.” Now I’m gonna have to learn to steal things from under a different security guard’s nose. Of course, I’m not exactly concerned. I mean, can you really expect a scrawny little guy in a rented outfit—a guy who carries nothing more threatening than a walkie-talkie and a flashlight—to prevent crime?”
To honor Lester’s contribution to the Wichita Crossings Mall, every store in the mall is holding a special “We Love You Lester” sale. A huge reception, featuring a giant cake and surprise guests, will be held on Friday afternoon. All are invited.
Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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