If the shoe fits
Newspaper reporters look for news in all situations. If a bug crosses the road, the reporter's inside voice asks, "Is that news."
Your Ol' Editor was sitting at a ceremony last week when the City of Marion recognized longtime businesses. Case and Son took first place, being here the longest, followed by the newspaper.
The OE looked around and paid notice of those present for the ceremony. Some had been here half a century, but are no longer in business.
Then the OE recalled that he, too, was in that category. It's been 54 years since a fresh faced kid from KU went to work with Wharton Hoch on the staff of the Ol' Thing. He'd had prior newspaper experience, a couple of years, in the mechanical department but now was a journalism school trained reporter willing to work for less wages than he could make in the back shop.
After reflecting on those days, and what's come and gone, the OE suddenly realized that he's the oldest business person in Marion. Not the oldest in years, but the oldest in consecutive years of service.
That's an awesome thought.
And your OE isn't even considering retirement. He'd not enjoy it nearly as much as the weekly grind. What type of misfit have we here?
As the fellow said, "If the shoe fits, wear it." That's what's happening. The comfortable old shoes feel mighty good, never better. They may not look as good nor be as sturdy as before, but they feel great.
— BILL MEYER
