Stella Foster has been writing for the Chicago Sun Times for 43 years. She has decided to retire on August 6. I am saddened and don't want her to go. This is strictly personal.
Stella is a Chicago success story. She is proud to be from Englewood, and on her sister Jamie's recommendation, she was hired as the late Irv Kupcinet 's secretary. She started as his secretary and became his right hand. As he became ill she began to write the column with the same savy and flavor as did he. After Kup passed in 2003 "Kup's Column" rightfully became "Stella's Column."
Among the most beautiful and touching columns she wrote was Kup's column to his beloved Essie. She wrote his sentiment from his heart when he couldn't. She wrote about their romance. If you didn't cry, you had no eyes.
Stella is the life of any party, at any time, anywhere. She jokes, and steps like no other and is bound to say something totally out of the box but always on target.
Stella writes it as she sees it. Hers is a refreshing voice and for this reason alone, I absolutely hate her departing Chicago's mainstream media, where the black point of view is limited. She recently wrote an item about the president of the United States visiting Chicago and playing golf rather than speaking to south side youth, where he might have made impact.
Stella's column/Kup's column took "gossip" to a new level. She has always written truthful, honest and never harmful. A Stella item was as important as a headline in some instances. The Kup/Stella duo were a powerful pair and I imagine Kup would be quite proud that she carried his tradition forward.
Stella has been a good friend to many and I will miss her. The Chicago Sun Times will not be the same. Thanks Stella for a great job for 43 years. She has been on deadline for 43 years. She is smart, witty and wise.
Thanks for the items and all of the assistance you have given me throughout the years.
Miss you already. You got it right, and just as you will miss the deadline, we will miss you. Yeah, I said it. And that's Hermene on Stella.