RICHMOND —
The fact that I’m writing this column to say goodbye is so surreal. It’s hard for me to even put down into words that Friday is my last day at the Richmond Register. After almost nine years, it still feels like yesterday when I cried the whole way back to work after a meeting at the Blue Grass Army Depot. The acronyms and large, unfamiliar words were terrifying.
I can remember feeling hopeless after a lengthy Berea City Council meeting. What would be my lead? Where do I even start?
In a community with three government bodies, and more than 500 tons of warfare agent (which were ALL my beats) I thought I was going to drown before I made it up for air.
Despite my nervous and desperate start, I somehow survived.
It was former Register editor Jim Todd who taught me to “work smarter, not harder.” That was and still is a must-have skill to survive at a daily newspaper with so many beats to cover.
Lorie Love Hailey, who was editor after Todd, taught me that not every agenda item of a three-hour-long meeting had to be included in the story. That’s when I created the motto I still live by today when it comes to stories which have the potential to be really long: “If I get tired writing it, readers will get tired reading it!”
My boss today, editor Bill Robinson, has been and still is more than a boss ― he’s a friend. However, this friend happens to be a walking historical encyclopedia and knows everyone in Madison County, which organizations they’re affiliated with and where their children went to school.
Bill is one of the most compassionate, understanding bosses I’ve ever had and I want to say “thanks” Bill.
Register Publisher Nick Lewis has stuck with me through some sticky situations and has never failed to provide me with the support and encouragement I needed to thrive as a reporter. I thank him for his leadership and for standing firm through many changes here at the newspaper.
Then there’s my newsroom family: news writers Crystal Wylie and Sarah Hogsed, photographer Kaitlin Keane and page designers Carrie Curry, Liz Denny and bless his heart, Roy Varney. He’ll know what that means! I’m not joking when I call these guys my family. We’ve all shared each other’s happy times, sad times, frustrations, accomplishments and failures. We stand behind one another when the media become a target for nasty words and scathing letters to the editor ― that’s just part of being in the business. I love you all dearly and will continue to do so.
There are people I dearly love spread all throughout the Register office, and they know who they are!
Having worked so closely with people from various sectors of the community, I must acknowledge my appreciation for all of those involved in Madison County, Richmond and Berea governments. You have all worked well with me, and I truly appreciate that. To members of law enforcement and fire protection services, including the Richmond and Berea police and fire departments, Madison County Sheriff’s Department and county fire department and the Kentucky State Police ― I thank you all for your cooperation and for helping me do my job. I also thank those with the Blue Grass Army Depot, Chemical Materials Agency, Madison County Emergency Management Agency and the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program. Thanks for being patient with me as I work to get the story straight and also for explaining all those darn acronyms!
As of Feb. 18, I will be employed at Eastern Kentucky University serving as the social marketing and communications specialist for Kentucky SEED (System to Enhance Early Development). The organization stems from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and provides resources to children with mental health needs and their families. I am really excited about this opportunity to expand upon my career, while doing what I feel God put me here to do ― help people.
Viewpoints
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Ronica Shannon Nancy Taggart
Saying goodbye to my second family
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Graduation Day
It is that time of year again.
Some years ago, I was invited to speak at the graduation ceremonies of a liberal arts college. Later, many in the audience told me they expected a very political speech. Some of them were relieved; others were disappointed. I don't do politics at graduation.
Graduation is about life.
My high school graduation was OK. I gave a speech. My family was there, intact, probably as happy as they ever were (But did I know?). We went out for Chinese food afterward. -
Coal problem worth tackling in Washington and Frankfort
Despite hysterical cries from radical environmentalists, neither Sen. Rand Paul’s Defense of Environment and Property Act nor Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Coal Jobs Protection Act would allow activities that bring harm to Kentucky’s wildlife or waterways for the sake of propping up the coal industry.
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Peter Perlman — Life lessons from a lawyer’s lawyer
One of the great moments of my life was sitting next to legendary Louisville attorney Frank Haddad at a luncheon when he learned he had received the first Peter Perlman Outstanding Trial Lawyer award from the Kentucky Academy of Trial Lawyers.
As they started his bio, the surprised Frank started crying like a baby. A sudden heart attack took him less than a year later. Winning the Perlman award was the crowning achievement of his career. -
Credit score insanity
Frequently, people stop me and ask me personal finance questions.
The most common is how to improve their credit history score.
If you need to improve your credit score, it means you have lousy credit. Before fixing the score, people need to ask how their credit got so bad to begin with. -
‘Tells’ about who will blow their money
Kentucky Derby week is one where gambling takes a forefront in my life. Along with the non-stop activities in my home state, I am speaking at a dinner for the Society of Settlement Professionals in Las Vegas and a film crew from Italy is flying in from Rome to interview me for a documentary about lottery winners.
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Viewpoints change when critics gain power
Scandals like those roiling Washington often look more or less nefarious as time and facts unfold. After all, what at first looked like a third-rate burglary turned into Watergate.
I doubt the scandals around Benghazi, the IRS and subpoenas of Associated Press phone records reach Watergate status — but we must await more information and time to know. -
Trouble’s last ride
When announcing my retirement, I made reference to letting “Trouble” having one last ride.
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Going from school to work requires preparation, faith
(Editor’s Note: After graduating from EKU on Saturday, Seth Littrell came to work Monday at the Richmond Register as a reporter/photographer.)
This past Saturday weekend I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with my bachelor’s in journalism.
It was the single goal I had been working toward for the past four years, and as I walked across that stage I realized I was the first person in my family to do so. -
Report on former EKU Center for the Arts director called 'biased, unfair'
I am writing in response to the Richmond Register’s May 3, 2013, article concerning the former Executive Director of the EKU Center for the Arts. The article I reference appeared on the front page of your newspaper with the headline “Sexual harassment, other offenses alleged in Hoskin’s records in 740 pages of documents.”
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Recognizing those who provide care
How fitting it is that the beginning of National Nursing Home Week is Mother’s Day, May 12.
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