Fielder’s Choice

I confess.

For the first time in 37 years, I had some doubts.

Would we get out a newspaper?

The forecast was basically certain as Monday, Feb. 15, neared – ice, snow for a day or two and then more ice and snow later in the week.

I made an early contact to the good folks at the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo, where both the Pigeon Roost News and The South Reporter are printed.

As expected they wanted us to have both newspapers to them a little early.

Deadline for the Pigeon Roost News was moved up to Monday, Feb. 15, at noon.

Originally, The Journal crew had hoped to deliver it that afternoon by 5 p.m. But the awful winter weather started Sunday afternoon and worsened Monday.

They then said they’d just get it to us as soon as possible, which was totally understandable – safety first.

Amazingly, when we arrived at the office on Tuesday morning, it was here.

Deadline for The South Reporter was moved up to Tuesday, Feb. 16, as early as possible that afternoon.

We completed it early and it, too, was delivered overnight.

With Barbara and I at the office Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Sue working from home, Pam and Erin joining in on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Kacie and Masey battling the road conditions to get as much of the delivery done as possible, we got the job done.

Both the Pigeon Roost News and The South Reporter were taken to most of the local post offices on Wednesday (and the rest Saturday). But our good friends at the post offices were sidelined due to the winter storm.

We appreciate your patience. Hopefully, you received your last week’s newspaper on Monday of this week.

If not, please continue to be patient.

And if you do not get it all, give us a call.

Last week was one like most of us had never experienced.

I was publisher of The Aberdeen Examiner back during the Great Ice Storm of 1994. The City of Aberdeen was spared extensive damage – located just south of the storm line. Barbara, Linda and others have told me all they had to go through then to get the newspaper to press.

They made it then.

We made it last week.

I could go on and on and on thanking folks. From a personal standpoint, I appreciate Royce Pegues, who gave me a ride to and from work four days last week.

I told him I would buy him a steak dinner when this was over. He said, “No, you don’t have to do that. I’m here to help.”

The South Reporter got lots of help – like from all the dedicated folks at the sheriff’s department continuously sending me updates and photos of what was happening in Marshall County weather-wise.

All those essential workers who served all hours last week in the ice, snow, and frigid temperatures - “thank you.”

We also appreciate so many for sending us your favorite snow photos. We will get them all in the newspaper as soon as possible. The presses will keep rolling.