[naviga:h3]Cheer [/naviga:h3]

If you’ve never awakened to the sound of gunfire in the woods behind your home, then you haven’t lived through a Pennsylvania rifle season for deer.

In case you didn’t know, the season kicked off Monday, and many hunters have already shared tales of their successes, failures and the traditions that get them into the woods each year.

These stories and experiences are often heartwarming and surprising. They are tales that can reveal deep affection and respect for the elders who imparted their wisdom to young hunters; capture the joy and wonder to be found in unexpected encounters in nature; and recount the humor inherent in the misadventures all hunters experience from time to time.

In other words, if you think it’s all about death and destruction, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Even if you’ve never been hunting before, or can’t imagine yourself how people find enjoyment in the practice, it’s worth taking the chance to engage hunters about their time in the woods.

These stories — and this season — are part of the fabric of our culture. If you get an opportunity to listen, then it’s likely you’ll begin to see why that is.

[naviga:h3]Jeer [/naviga:h3]

In case anyone needed yet another reminder that racism remains alive and well in our communities, a downtown barbershop in Pittsburgh was the target of racially-charged graffiti this week.

On Monday a receptionist arrived at the business to find “We are KKK”; “We Kill — ” and “No — ” followed by the “N” word, scrawled in permanent marker across the storefront.

Police are investigating but haven’t yet identified any suspects or said if video surveillance from nearby shops holds any leads.

The business’ owner, Victor Musgrove, said his barbershop has been in operation for 12 years, serves people from “all walks of life” and isn’t deterred by the defacement.

It’s good to see police taking this incident seriously and that Musgrove is unbowed by such small-minded, hateful behavior.

The proper response to stupidity and hate has always been solidarity and a common commitment to respect.

The only thing that doesn’t deserve either of those are the bigoted worldviews that continue to disgust the good people of this region.

[naviga:h3]Cheer[/naviga:h3]

Congratulations to Marcus Martin of Slippery Rock University, who last week was named NCAA Division II Super Region One Defensive Player of the Year.

Martin adds this latest honor to a growing list of accolades for his performance on and off the field.

He was also named PSAC West Defensive Player of the year and is an Academic All-American.

Martin, a sophomore from West Mifflin, is the university’s first Region player of the year.

His 82 tackles rank him third on the team; he’s the university’s first player to ever record 20 tackles for loss in consecutive seasons, and he compiled a record 16 quarterback sacks in his freshman season.

This year Marin has 13 sacks and is the only active player in college football who is averaging more than 1 sack per game.

Oh — and he’s also carrying a 3.6 GPA as a safety management major.

Those are all impressive numbers put up by an impressively mature and driven individual.

“It’s an honor to win these awards, but, honestly, it’s a team thing,” Martin told the Eagle.

Every team needs leaders. Martin, through his stellar play and dedication in the classroom, is setting an example for college athletes across the country.