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 