News-Record.com

Martha Stewart sure engenders a lot of loyalty. Several people have complained about our "Decorate Martha Stewart's Cell" contest in which we put a photograph of Ms. Stewart's face into a coloring book drawing of a prison cell. Here's one:

"I found the News-Record's "Decorate Martha Stewart's Cell" contest appalling. What next, best funeral arrangement for returning Iraqi war dead? As the editor of this newspaper I believe you should set standards of decorum and good taste, and this contest meets neither of these."

One might think that Ms. Stewart has entered that dubious territory considered "fair game" as the self-made style maven is now serving time in prison. I do. But this reader-participation wasn't intended as editorial commentary. It simply gives readers a little diversion, lets those who participate have some fun and, when we publish the submissions, will put a smile on some faces.

We've received more than 50 responses, many of them sympathetic to Stewart's predicament and using it as a way to reach out to her. Some are quite elaborate in their decoration of her new living space behind bars. One woman decorated a room but included on the wall "Martha, you don’t belong here." Another pasted cloth swatches as curtains, added a cat and artwork on the walls, and even cut and attached some gray hair to give Martha a new hair styling.

One woman wrote us: "I recently had to move into one room because of illness and had to downsize. I live in assisted living. After always having plenty of room, it seems like what Martha is doing. We have a very small space.

"I drew this picture like my room. I have more privileges than Martha but hope she can adjust to close quarters for a while, then she will be free again to spread her wings. I've always admired her and liked her TV shows. Good luck, Martha and I'll keep praying for you to have your freedom again. Trust in the Lord and he will help you through your trials."

Look for the results in the newspaper later this month.