Wait, what? EDITOR?
When Sabrina Stockrahm first told me she had landed an exciting new work-from-home position, my initial reaction was pure joy for my friend, happiness that she had found employment that would give her precious time at home with her family while also helping to pay the bills.
And then the fear set in.
I have taken Sabrina for granted for many years, mostly because her work ethic is so strong, she makes gargantuan tasks look easy. Editors have a whole lot to do and see that others get done, while still fielding calls from the public and writing their own stories. As I pondered who would lead us as effectively as Sabrina, I realized that I had no idea.
I’ve been here writing for over four years, and I have learned a lot. I started here with zero experience in writing and have somehow evolved into a two-time award winner who sincerely loves her job.
And then, one morning, I awoke to find that I had missed two calls from General Manager Christy Lehman. While we have an active ‘texting-cute-pictures-of-grandbabies’ relationship outside of work, we don’t routinely call each other to catch up, since we work about 15 feet from each other in the office. So getting a call from Christy either means something is on fire, the aliens have landed or aliens are on fire, grab your camera.
I was about to listen to her voicemails when I received a text from Christy asking me to give her a call. I was pretty sure there were no aliens on fire in Linton, but you never know. I called back and she said she wanted to talk to me as soon as I came in.
You know that feeling of dread you get when you show up to school naked or have to give a speech on a topic you don’t know? Asking for a friend.
Probably most of you don’t know this yet, but I will be moving back to Seattle sometime in May. John and I have mutually decided to go our separate ways, and I think it’s time I got busy snuggling grandbabies and drinking lattes. I don’t really want to talk about it other than that, but suffice it to say I had a lot on my mind walking in to the office that day.
Other than by the process of elimination, I never would have guessed I would be asked to be editor of the Greene County Daily World. If anyone had suggested I would be, I would have thought them mad.
But, starting next week, that is exactly what I will be until I relocate in May. Am I terrified? Yes, I am. But I work with some really great people here at the paper (and Kristen came back, woo-hoo!) who are very supportive and seem to like me despite the mannequin arm I keep under my desk and the googly eyes I like to attach to their things.
I will do my best, I promise you that. Feel free to email me at pattippdanner@gmail.com anytime.
Patti is Editor of the Greene County Daily World. She loves to laugh and also loves kitties. She’s kind of weird but has a heart of gold. If you would like to share a story or just make a friend, she can be reached at pattippdanner@gmail.com.
- -- Posted by Renee71 on Sat, Apr 11, 2020, at 10:14 AM
- -- Posted by hoosierma on Wed, Apr 15, 2020, at 8:00 PM
- -- Posted by mrusse11 on Mon, Apr 20, 2020, at 3:09 PM
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