Back in the old days, when reporters wrote stories on typewriters rather than these sleek, modern computer keyboards, we’d type “-30-”, centered, at the end so the typesetter would know when to move on to the next piece of copy.
It means “the end,” and it’s traditional for an editor, publisher or columnist to close out one’s tenure at a newspaper with a 30 column.
I’ve written several 30 columns during my newspaper career but, this is the first time I’ve penned one with the appreciation that what I write will be the last piece I write as a publisher.
It’s unlikely I’ll stop writing — indeed, my wife has charged me with writing 1,000 words each day — but future commentary will be published at someone else’s sufferance.
It’s more than a little weird. First of all, I’m unused to gaining permission to print what I write.
Then there this: what do you say after 30-some years of newspapering?
I started back in the early days of MacIntosh computers but we used Exacto knives, line tape and pica poles daily. We printed copy in galleys then cut the columns to fit the space. We didn’t paste the paper to the layout sheet — we used wax.
It required a steady hand to lay out a newspaper.
We knew we were in for a rough week if Monday morning failed to deliver the aroma of melted wax. Waxers were as important — perhaps more so — as cameras and computers.
Up until turn of this last century, every newsroom came equipped with a dark room. I remember when taking a hand-rolled, 36-exposure canister of film to a football game was an extravagance — we issued 8-exposure rolls of film for a typical news story. I also remember developing those negatives after the game and being delighted if I captured two print-worthy images. I also remember the devastation of realizing that, out of 36 attempts, I had no print-worthy images.
I got my first laptop in 1993. It was a Mac, had a black-and-white LED screen, weighed 25 pounds and had no provision for internet access. Still, I lugged it everywhere.
And, it wasn’t that long ago that any newsroom worth the name was filled with the background chatter of a police scanner. These later days of secure, deeply encrypted (and horridly expensive) communications gear has left most small-town newsrooms dependent upon social media for those kinds of news tips.
The way we do this business has really changed. It’s not unusual for us to shoot 200 images at a football or basketball game. I can work from home as easily as I can from the office. Where we’re going, who needs offices?
Yeah, a lot has changed in 30 years.
I see by my word count that I’m nearly out of space so I’ll leave you with this final thought: please urge your friends to subscribe to and read the Taylor Press. It is very important to the health of the paper and to civic life in Taylor. If you run a business, buy some ads. If the ad campaign includes your value proposition and a call to action, it’ll probably bring business so it’s a win-win.
Finally, Tia and I aren’t going anywhere. She loves her job at the Chamber and we love this town. And, be assured that I will keep my hand in.
-30-
The Ragged Edge 
Wow! Brings back memories! I remember wax layouts in high school, doing the regional newsletter for the FFA. And, yes, please keep writing!
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Enjoyed the walk down Memory Lane … started at the Press in 1976 and we walked the same paths back in the day! I can still smell the wax machine and have vivid memories of a three and four person staff! Good days! Best of luck my friend, wish you well!
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Look forward to your musings on all things Taylor. Love knowing you and Tia. You make Taylor more interesting.
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At 74, it’s nice that my mind can still remember cutting my columns into strips and taping them together, including any pictures I took that made it into any articles I wrote for the Brazosport Facts, in Freeport/Clute/Lake Jackson, Texas. I started in 1970 and only wrote for about four years, but I will never forget the first subject I was asked to write about: the theft of a flag pole in front of the community hospital. WHAT???? No wrecks, no blood and guts, no big wedding? I was able to come up with something that was good enough that I was chosen to take over for the former reporter for our little town of Sweeny and the surrounding area. THEN my friend was told by the former reporter that SHE had written the column and let me put my first byline on it. Crap. My least favorite things to write about were school board and city council meetings. I was often asked to step out of those meetings if the good ole’ boys wanted to discuss things they didn’t think I, as a woman, and young at that, didn’t need to know went on. The fun part was that I asked to take pictures to go with my columns which meant that my three daughters were pictured walking on new school sidewalks, looking at beauty contests, always on the sidelines but in the pictures and we still have those memories! What better subject than your own kid! I learned about the history of Brazoria County by writing about the many plantations, several of which became prison farms, watching an old cistern excavated behind one 1860’s era plantation house and seeing confederate buttons, pieces of uniforms, broken china, many many glass bottles that had held various medicines: pieces of a busy life from the past. Then I wrote about all the churches in our small community, including all the regular big denominations (Southern Baptist, United Methodist, Church of Christ) and little known religions that moved into empty storefronts along the Main Street. I could be your mother and I’m so proud of what you write and that you will continue. I also wrote -30- many times. -30-
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