Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Last week marked my 14th work anniversary at The People-Sentinel.
This week is National Newspaper Week, spotlighting the important work local newspapers do in their communities and reminding people nationwide of the value local news provides. As this year’s theme is “Telling Our Stories”, I think it’s fitting to share our paper’s story along with my personal story.
As a Barnwell native, I grew up reading this newspaper, which has been telling our community’s stories since 1852. Though I went to college for journalism, I never thought I would work for my hometown newspaper, much less own it one day. I never planned to come back to Barnwell after college, but God had other plans. As I’ve learned over the years, it’s best to follow His path for our lives.
After my dad showed me a job ad for this newspaper, I applied and was hired as a staff writer by then-publisher Laura McKenzie. She’s now retired, but remains a close friend, mentor and encourager.
I remember the excitement I felt as I reported for my first day of work on Oct. 4, 2010. I was welcomed by the team in place at the time. Laura and then-editor Susan Delk were particularly happy to see me because they had been covering all the news by themselves for months after the other two members of the editorial staff left for other jobs. You see, this newspaper was in a bit of a transitional period, but I was happy to join the team and make my mark.
My first assignment was covering a robbery at a local loan office. Though it wasn’t an award-winning piece, it was exhilarating seeing my byline in print for the first time.
I’ve shared a lot of stories since that first published story 14 years ago. From government accountability pieces and reports on tragedies to lighthearted stories on community events and the lovely people who call Barnwell County home, every story is important. Some are tougher than others. Some are quite uncomfortable. But they all matter.
My career journey continued in 2014 when my editor and the other staff writer both left within a month or so of one another for other opportunities. This newest time of transition led to me being promoted to managing editor at the age of 35, but I was excited for the challenge and new job duties.
Following years of frustration with corporate owners and jokes about wishing I could buy this newspaper, I took a leap of faith in July 2021 and bought this newspaper.
Some of my friends, family and former colleagues thought I was crazy. After all, I had never owned or operated a business, though I knew what it took to publish a newspaper each week.
Also, if you believe rumors, newspapers are dying. Tell that to the 8 in 10 Americans who read print or digitally accessed newspaper content every month.
Running a local newspaper, as with any business, brings challenges and opportunities. This journey the past three years has been the most frustrating, worthwhile, mundane, exciting, demanding and rewarding endeavor I’ve ever done. The writing component of my job will always be my passion, but every duty is just as important to keep this newspaper in business so we can continue to inform through unbiased, factual journalism.
I’m proud of how far we’ve come as a newspaper since returning to local ownership. We have a stronger product that better serves and informs our community. However, we must always work to keep growing in today’s ever-changing and challenging economy. This includes evolving and diversifying by finding new revenue sources and ways to connect with our audience – this wonderful community. Starting a TikTok account, being present at community events, partnering with a travel company to host trips, forming partnerships with other community groups, and expanding content are some examples of doing that.
Just as this newspaper has grown, I have also grown as a person and journalist over the past 14 years. My writing style has certainly transformed as I matured as a journalist and found my voice. I’ve also become more familiar with and appreciative of the hometown I only thought I knew and understood. Challenges and mistakes have made me a stronger person, journalist, and business owner.
You’ve probably noticed the theme of change throughout this column. After all, the only constant in life is change.
Once again, this newspaper is in a period of transition. We bid adieu to reporter Elijah de Castro last week while reporter Alexandra Whitbeck will leave at the end of this month. Both talented journalists are pursuing new career opportunities closer to loved ones in their native state of New York. It’s sad to see them go, but I appreciate their service and am happy they will be closer to their families. Being close to my own family has been one perk of working for this newspaper.
Through every change in personnel, office location, and technology, the mission of The People-Sentinel remains the same. The mission of a local newspaper is to provide useful and factual information that provides accountability, entertainment, comfort and joy. Newspapers are an important part of a community’s structure but also provide a window into the life of a community.
But we can’t do it alone. Just like any local business, we’ve seen our cost of doing business increase. That’s why we need our community’s support.
ADVERTISE. SUBSCRIBE. DONATE.
If you already do those, thank you. Please encourage others to do so.
It’s also important to offer us story ideas along with feedback on the content we publish or what you’d like to see published. It’s our goal to always improve and grow.
We can’t wait to see what the future holds for our community. But we will keep informing our community, just as we’ve done since 1852.
