Fans trek to prison just to say goodbye

ALDERSON, W.Va. — People really love Martha!

Kathy Herrmann underwent chemotherapy treatment in her hometown of Tacoma, on Wednesday, but it didn’t stop her from flying across the country to see Martha Stewart as she left a federal prison in West Virginia early Friday.

“I’m tired but it meant enough for me to come out here anyway,” Herrmann said. “It’s all about support.”

Herrmann and several friends gathered at the Greenbrier Valley Airport in 16-degree weather holding a Martha Stewart-brand floral print sheet covered with signatures from Seattle-area fans. About 50 other fans joined them, many of whom screamed Stewart’s name and waved as she boarded the plane.

But not everyone in the crowd was a fan. Some came to experience the moment itself.

“I came down just because it’s history. I’m definitely not a fan,” said Lisa Huff of Bluefield, Va., about 65 miles away. Huff said, however, the prison stay may have changed her opinion of Stewart.

“When she went in, I thought she was mean. But when she decided to go to jail, now she looks more contrite,” she said. “I think jail has been great for her.”