Thursday, July 2, 2009
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Thursday, July 2, 2009 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery |
| Fielder’s Choice Beginning ninth year • I reached a personal milestone this week. No, I have not reached age 50 yet, but I’m close. Instead, I have set my employment record. As of Monday, I am officially employed at this newspaper longer than any other. After college graduation, I worked in my hometown of Hamilton, Ala., two years. Then I spent four years in Fulton (The Itawamba County Times), one year in Red Bay, Ala. (The Red Bay News), eight years in Aberdeen (The Aberdeen Examiner) and two years in Laurel (The Leader-Call). It seems like yesterday, but I arrived in Holly Springs at The South Reporter on June 28, 2001. That means I’m starting my ninth year. I will never forget that first day. The newspaper employees were nervous – anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new boss. I was eager and a bit nervous myself. But it didn’t take long for us to become one happy family. And the folks of Holly Springs and Marshall County rolled out the welcome mat. Moving is never easy, but good people make it much easier. Eight years later, maybe we’re almost considered Marshall Countians. Someone asked me last week, “Will you ever go back to Alabama?” I’m not sure if they are trying to get rid of me or just creating conversation. It’s where I was born and where I was raised. My answer – “Who knows what tomorrow holds? Perhaps in retirement.” Thanks to all for making my first eight years at The South Reporter really special and loads of fun. This newspaper thrives because of you – our community. And our priority will always be putting our community first. • I spent the past three months as an assistant coach pitching to 7- and 8-year-old girls. That’s not all that easy for a 47-year-old, retired athlete. Our Holly Springs softball team wrapped up its season last week, and the accomplishments were many. But most of all, we had a blast. It was my goal to never tell the girls the score during a game. I think we accomplished that. “What’s the score?” they’d often ask. “We will tell you after the game,” I’d reply. “Let’s just have fun.” We wrapped up the year with a pool party Thursday night at Kirkwood. I’m tired and glad the season’s over. But I will miss those smiling faces until next season starts. • Two of our three children are “camping.” Emma, who spent two weeks at Camp Tahkodah in Floral, Ark. as a camper, is staying two more weeks as a counselor. We visited with her Friday night and Saturday in Searcy, Ark., between sessions, washed her clothes, took her out to eat and made sure she got a good night’s rest. Sunday, Andy left for a week at Sardis Lake Christian Camp. We asked Erin Sunday night how she liked being “an only child,” and she said, “It’s great!” Truth is, she misses them very much. That was obvious when we basically had to pull her away (crying) from her big sister Saturday afternoon when we left Searcy. It’s going to be even tougher when Emma leaves for Southern Miss in August. |
     
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