After more than 25 years of writing for The Journal newspaper in the Northern Neck of Virginia, I will be closing that chapter of my life due to the paper closing.
I recall back in the late 80's seeing an outdoor column in The Free Lance Star from Fredericksburg and wondering why the local paper did not have an outdoor column. Certainly we were more rural than the city of Fredericksburg!
So, without much thought, I called The Journal and asked why they did not have an outdoor column. Little did I know I was about to start a long journey. The lady that answered the phone was Ruth Herrink, the longtime owner of the paper. She said something to the effect that she expected "copy" on her desk by a certain day and that we would now have an outdoor column. Then she hung up. I was stunned. However, I was also challenged and thus began my career bringing outdoor stories and news to the local area, later to the state, and even to national publications.
With the closing of the newspaper, I need to find a way to continue bringing outdoor news to the locals that want it. For now that will be my website/blog. While that will not replace the income I lost with the closing of the paper, it will be a start to at least providing the service. At some point, if there is enough demand, I may switch things over to a paid subscriber list. For now I am exploring my options. Look for the regular articles and news to start around the 23rd of January. Meanwhile I will figure out a good schedule so the news/blog will be consistent, so readers will know when to slide over and look each week. I welcome any comments.
Thank you for reading!
I recall back in the late 80's seeing an outdoor column in The Free Lance Star from Fredericksburg and wondering why the local paper did not have an outdoor column. Certainly we were more rural than the city of Fredericksburg!
So, without much thought, I called The Journal and asked why they did not have an outdoor column. Little did I know I was about to start a long journey. The lady that answered the phone was Ruth Herrink, the longtime owner of the paper. She said something to the effect that she expected "copy" on her desk by a certain day and that we would now have an outdoor column. Then she hung up. I was stunned. However, I was also challenged and thus began my career bringing outdoor stories and news to the local area, later to the state, and even to national publications.
With the closing of the newspaper, I need to find a way to continue bringing outdoor news to the locals that want it. For now that will be my website/blog. While that will not replace the income I lost with the closing of the paper, it will be a start to at least providing the service. At some point, if there is enough demand, I may switch things over to a paid subscriber list. For now I am exploring my options. Look for the regular articles and news to start around the 23rd of January. Meanwhile I will figure out a good schedule so the news/blog will be consistent, so readers will know when to slide over and look each week. I welcome any comments.
Thank you for reading!
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