Women-- two deceased and three writers-- played roles in some of the most popular stories which appeared in The Logan Journal during its first year of existence.
The LoJo gives readers an opportunity to rate stories they have read. Excellent is the highest rating. We went through at the close of the first year and totaled the number of Excellent ratings. Sixty articles received at least 10 Excellents between Feb. 1, 2009 and Jan. 31, 2010, a year in which the online publication drew over 2 million hits.
The most popular article featured reflections on the untimely death of Russellville attorney Elizabeth Wilson last spring. That tribute drew 136 Excellents, nine more than the second place finisher, a story about the state's athletic directors presenting an award to popular eatery Roy's Bar-B-Q. Two of the owners of Roy's, Kathy Morgan Howard and LeeAnn Morgan Harris, are women.

Continuing with the dominance of stories by and about women, finishing in the top 10 were a tribute to long-time music educator Hazel Carver and remembrances by Nola Tinsley Willeford, June Lyne Robinson and Sue Williams Spurlock. Robinson's article was about another deceased Logan legend, Papa J.T. Upton.
All three of those guest writers were honored multiple times as were Algie Ray Smith and Bob Owen. Other guest writers on the list are Marguerite Kirkpatrick, Bobbie Jean Burnett, Jim Herderhorst, Zac Menser, Lynne Thomas, Olivia Duer Nelson, Andy Rector, Dianna Penrold, James Henry Duncan, Jo Bentley Reece, Marie Foley, Mary Lucy Franklin, Kaye Simmons, Ann Piper Pember, Clay White, Patricia Harbison Mooneyhan, and Jeannie Leedom Bowles

Tied for the third most popular article was about the family connections of the Little Leauge All-Stars, who played in the World Series last summer. Another feature on the All-Stars finished fifth, and those oft-honored 12-year-olds had two other stories in the top 60.
The other two articles which placed in the top 10 were Jim Turner's "Cheapskate Editor's Christmas Card List" and the story of the resignation of Russellville School Superintendent Roger Cook.
The list follow:

1) Remembering Elizabeth (Wilson) 136 Excellents
2) Roy's BBQ wins state honor 127
3 Tie)Little League All Stars' roots go deep in Logan 45
3 Tie) A Journey for Two by Nola Tinsley Willeford 45
5) Logan Little League legend looms large 42
6) Hazel (Carver) helped us be happy and harmonious 39
7) Cheapskate Editor's Christmas Card List 37
8) Cook leaving Russellville schools 35
9) Not tall in stature, J.T. Upton was mountain of a man by June Lyne Robinson 35
10) Christmas at Epley Station in 1940's and 1950's by Sue Williams Spurlock 32

11) Speaking of People: Piggly Wiggly's fire affects many 28
12) Sluggers to compete for national title in Cooperstown 27
13) From My Back Porch: The Great Coon Caper by June Lyne Robinson 26
14) Trio to be inducted into RHS Athletic Hall of Fame 24
15Tie) Logan, Kentucky, nation support Little Leaguers 23
15 Tie) Life in China as seen by a transplanted Logan Countian by Jim Herderhorst 23
17) The Last Tourists in Talkeetna by Marguerite Kirkpatrick 22
18 Tie) Brother Joe Day Embraced in Logan & Beyond 20
18 Tie) Christmas memories warm out hearts by Bob Owen, Andy Rector and Dianna Penrod 20
18 Tie) Speaking of People: LCHS grad Lori Timberlake Todd is 'Her Royal Excitedness;' Blues back for 8th of August;
thoughts on Robert Crick, David Atkins, Charlie Arnett, Jody Richards 20
18 Tie) Speaking of Sports: RHS alum Diane Roney Mester plays British Open course, Mike Harris walks Masters course,
Swatzell upstages Birdwhistell 20

A Child's Christmas in 1950's Logan County by Algie Ray Smith 19
Logan Aluminum celebrates 25 years 18
Sweet Sixteen victory came 25 years ago 18
Menser makes Big Red proposal 18
Speaking of People: LeeAnn Carnall Austin, Cox's Variety Store, Clyde and Nancy Delk, Trent Nourse, Jim O'Dell,
Doug Shoulders 18
Simple things bring family pleasure by Bobbie Jean Burnett 18
Remembering Chuck Lynch by Algie Ray Smith 17
Remembering Thanksgivings of the Past by Bob Owen, James Henry Duncan, Sue Williams Spurlock, Jo Bentley
Reece, Marie Foley, Mary Lucy Franklin, Kaye Simmons, Ann Piper Pember, Clay White, Patricia
Mooneyhan, and Jeannie Leedom Bowles 17
Rand Paul brings Senate campaign wife's hometown 17

Speaking of People: Notes on a variety of businesses 17
Not your usual Christmas by June Lyne Robinson 16
Romeo Crennel inspires Panthers, sports figures have local ties 16
All Stars' final World Series games gives glimpse of excellence 15
Home is Where Neil Kerr finds himself 15
Candidates for parties' nominations finalized 15
Rusty Clark named President of First Southern National Bank 14
Speaking of Sports; Jefferson wants back in football; notes on Johnson, McCarleys, Lee, Jordan, Saunders14
Well-traveled businessman Greg Head chooses to settle in hometown 14
Bubba Wells' NBA stay long enough to set record 14

Speaking of People: Farm Bureau hears both good news, warning; new eatery open, Auburn Minit Mart competing for
expansion rights 14
Speaking of Sports: Football teams' fortunes see positive reversal of fortunes 14
Contested races forming in election year 14
2009 has been Year of Baseball Resurgence 13
FSNB/Roy's a Classical success 13
A victor in fath by Zac Menser 13
Lewisburg native Annette Nole Hall wins Emmy 12
Not Our Time by Nola Willeford 12
Mama, other first responders a Godsend by Olivia Duer Nelson 12
Fuller pitches Tigers to World Series, earns ESPN time 12

Speaking of People: Bush, Menser, McGrath, Patel, Kirby and teachers honored 12
New superintendent doesn't make rushed decisions 12
Whatever happens in Indy, this team already the most successful all-stars now 12
Tony Rose set to Stuff the Bus 11
Speaking of People: Many use their talents to benefit others 11
Mayor Zick chooses not to seek reelection 11
A Different Christmas Poem 11
Special tree makes joyful Christmas by Lynne Thomas 11
Odd Couple (Rusty Clark and Komero Neblett) visit Africa, demonstrates Christianity 10
Only 10 days remain for filing for office 10