The year 2018 is nearly over. We only have five more days in this year, and to be honest, this year has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding that I’ve ever had.
As you know, we have undergone a lot of changes with our staff this year. One in particular came when our then managing editor Demetrius Thompson suddenly passed away days after the Fourth of July.
In fact, he had just attended the Independence Day event at Turkey Creek, but unfortunately, I never saw him again until we attended his funeral down in Bassfield.
He was just like a member of my own family. Since both of our families were a long way off, it was something we could both relate to.
I know many of you lost loved ones this year, and I’m sure the greiving still continues. Those of you like that, I am saying a special prayer for you this holiday season.
While we had some sad moments, we also have had some great moments too. And that has been welcoming Thomas Howard, Jason Tune and Lauren Smith to our team.
They, along with Marty Morgan, Bubba and everyone who has helped insert or deliver the paper for us, have kept me on my toes and moving forward. I can say that we couldn’t have made it without every person here.
I hope that we continue to improve and stay a vital part of Newton County for many years to come.
I appreciate your patience through our mistakes, and I also appreciate many of the kind words you have shared with us. I always do my best to keep those kind words on my bulletin board in my office or somewhere on my desk to remind me on those days that don’t go as well as I’d hoped.
Thank you to each and every one of our readers and advertisers. Really, this is your newspaper. You own it as much as I do and you have been great to work with. Thank you for all of the story ideas and photos that you’ve shared with us.
As we move in to 2019, I feel like we have an exciting year ahead of us, and I ask you to continue supporting us. We will do our best to improve each week and to provide you with a newspaper you can be proud of.
Brent can be reached at brent@newtoncountyappeal.com
