The power of the press is in its people
Well, we have made it to issue four, not that I ever had any doubt. We have certainly been on a wild ride but it has been incredibly satisfying. I liken it to that feeling on one of those monster roller coasters … the big scream moment might be on the drop downward, but the real excitement comes as you crest the pinnacle not being able to see what is on the other side.
I am frequently asked about my name being on so many stories. “I don’t know how you do it,” I am told. I’m going to let you in on my secrets. My motives are not selfless, I guarantee you.
First, I can do it because I love what I do and for whom I do it, namely you, the reader.
In fact, all of us here at the Clarendon Citizen feel that way. I really would do it for free if I could figure out how to pay the bills (and I cannot in case the High Commander is getting any fun ideas).
Couple my love for writing and reporting with my passion for where I live and it is just a no-brainer. Nothing makes me happier than getting to meet and learn about new folks and happenings here in Clarendon County.
But I have a second secret. Behind my singular efforts is a veritable army of community journalists.
First, we have our regular contributors, most of whom work for free.
Sam Levy and Larry Hewett, both extremely talented photographers help me out with pictures almost weekly.
Dr. Beryl Bachus-Keith brings us a monthly update on the health issue of the day. She has covered everything from menopause to allergies to vaccinations. If you have topics you are interested in, please let me know. Dr. Beryl is an incredibly busy healthcare provider but so believes in the well-being of her community that she makes time for her monthly column.
The same can be said of Elaine Dingle Wood, who brings us her “mental health moment.” Her articles are well researched and heartfelt. She wants to de-stigmatize mental illness and knows the key to that is good, solid information.
Once you get your body and head on straight, we celebrate with some great recipes with Citizen Cooks contributor, Sandi Tucker. Sandi is the new events administrator for the Weldon Auditorium, but still wants to put her culinary skills to work for us at the Citizen. Did you know she also draws the beautiful illustrations that often accompany her page? She usually has to cook all those dishes so she can create those illustrations. Her husband Fred is a lucky beneficiary of that task!
We also get weekly updates from master outdoorsman Terry Madewell. I have known Terry for nearly 20 years and I have never met a man who likes being in the woods and on the lakes more than Terry. He has won buckets of awards for his unique perspective and we are so blessed to have his contributions.
Scott Conant, the voice of the Manning Monarchs in several sports, is a jam-up sportswriter. I am so blessed to have him in our corner, because this girly-girl doesn’t know diddly about sports. (Okay, I follow Tarheel basketball, but it is mostly to look at the boys. I do love that Tyler Hansborough).
While Konstantin Vengerowsky is awaiting the start of graduate school later this summer, he has been writing some terrific feature articles for the Citizen. I have watched “Kosmo” grow from a shy schoolboy to an accomplished writer. He wants to be a foreign correspondent one day and I have no doubt that one day I will hear, “From Moscow, I am Konstantin Vengerowsky” coming from my television.
There are even more community journalists who I call my friends and allies.
For instance, just last week, Liz Briley called to let me know that Manning Early Childhood Center was having a “career vehicle” day that included everything from a fire truck to a helicopter to a hearse. Talk about some excited kiddies!
Lynn Thurlow of St. Mathias Montessori thought her school might make an interesting story. Wow, Montessori is nothing like I had previously thought. Look for that story in the coming weeks.
My friend and comrade Pat Goodwin has conscripted me into the Turbeville Community Association and feeds me great info about what is happening there. There is so much more to T’ville than meets the eye.
Kim Johnson at the Bank of Clarendon, Madaline Braxton at the County Recycling centers, Larry Smith with the Census, more than a dozen educators, and many, many other citizen reporters help keep me informed on what is going on and when time is short, they will get pictures and story info for me. That is what makes “it” all possible.
I am so very grateful that there are so many in our community who feel the same way we do … that there is so much great news to be told that there is never really a “slow news day,” that every name and face deserves their moment in the sun. Yes, sometimes that news is bad or uncomfortable. That’s life. And yes, sometimes we can’t get to every single thing, but Lord knows we try.
And most especially, we could not do it alone, nor would we want to. We depend on our community journalists to keep us on the straight and narrow and pointed in the direction of the good news of Clarendon County.
So, here’s to edition number four, the first month of many months of your newspaper. Keep those calls, emails, Facebook messages and smoke signals coming.
Y’all are simply the best!
