“And even though it’s a weekend paper that I get on Saturday, I won’t allow myself to uncrease it until Sunday. The pleasure of reading the Sunday paper is not something I take for granted.”
This past week Paul and myself attended the 96th annual North and East Texas Press Association Convention in Nacogdoches. One of our speakers was Scott Sosebee, an SFA history professor and author of the above quote. Sosebee reminded us of why we love newspapers and though they are changing, they sure as heck aren’t in peril.
NETPA has always been an organization close to my heart and one that both myself and Paul serve on for the board of directors.
This past year I took over as secretary and treasurer. I honestly had no idea how much work was involved with that role until it was too late.
I took over after a long time newspaper lady named Cher retired after 15 years of holding the position. And holding down a full-time newspaper job. Her service is not something I take lightly, especially not now.
Us “young’uns” have been asked to step up to the plate (myself, Paul and our chairman and president are all in our late 30s and 40s).
As I’ve lost close friends in this industry (terrific journalists like Suzanne Bardwell in Gladewater), I can’t help but wonder if we are capable of filling such big shoes.
This past week was full of a lot of fun, lots of learning, newspaper discussion and well ... making memories.
Over the years I have great memories of us touring a winery in East Texas, taking photos of bulls in Hamilton, and going into the see-through bathrooms in Sulphur Springs.
For Paul and myself, we have memories of receiving journalist and photographer of the year awards.
But it’s not about the awards.
It’s about the honor of continuing a legacy of serving our communities as journalists. It’s about the people. Our people.
Wyndi Veigel is the Content Editor of The Dublin Citizen and can be reached via email at composing@dublincitizen.com.