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Merry Christmas -- and thank you
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I knew little about Victoria before I became Advocate editor almost three years ago. I hoped I would find a good home for my family and a newspaper that cared about its community and meaningful journalism.
Christmas seems like a good time to say a little prayer of thanks for my good fortune on all counts. The McHaney and Roberts families who own the Advocate care deeply about our community and have supported the newsroom even during a recession that makes doing so all the more challenging.
Meanwhile, the Crossroads community has embraced my family in so many ways. As my wife and I were smiling at Indian dancers and munching on delectable naan at a recent Christmas party, I leaned over and said in Paula's ear, "I really like Victoria." She nodded.
Many Crossroads residents have lived here their entire lives, so they might not appreciate fully the warmth of their neighbors, not to mention the glow of our delightful winters. Even after we've lived here for two decades, we would still qualify as newcomers, but most have treated us like family from the day we arrived. For that, I can't say thank you enough.
Almost three years ago, I wrote a short essay describing my philosophy as a community newspaper editor, a fortuitous path that chose me three decades ago. I share it again here in the spirit of the season:
In the middle of perhaps the most challenging time in the history of the newspaper industry. I remind myself I'm living a dream. I try to treat each day as editor of the Victoria Advocate as a gift. I thank the newspaper’s owners, my co-workers and my community for their faith in me to do a job I still consider central to society.
I embrace the exciting opportunities presented by new media, but I believe newspapers’ future, whether in print or online, rests with the old-fashioned values of serving your community, creating meaningful connections, and trying to make a difference in your readers’ lives.
We're all family, after all. A newspaper should be that close friend who cheers your successes, cries over your losses, and prods you to be better than you ever thought possible.
When I reflect upon the challenges each day presents, I look above my desk at the framed picture my daughter made for her kindergarten graduation. She drew herself holding hands with her father; underneath, she wrote, as carefully as any 6-year-old could, this headline: “My dream is to be an editor.”
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Comments
Patient,
Thanks for your concern about our processes. We welcome visitors who want to see the newsroom in action. The five I mentioned are by no means the only resources on staff, although two -- our local editor and our delivery desk chief -- are well-positioned as the editors of most local stories. Our interactivity editor is another Crossroads native who helps us in many ways.
Of course, the challenge for all journalists is to do the research to become a mini-expert on a subject we may know little about before getting an assignment. It's a tremendous privilege and responsibility to get paid to be lifelong learners. And we get the bonus here of doing that in a place with such a rich and fascinating history.
December 26, 2009 at 11:05 a.m.Angie,
Thank you for the kind words.
Yes, Patient, lifelong learning is important. We also have many wonderful human resources to teach the newcomers, starting with our three generations of family owners. Other excellent guides in the newsroom include local editor Becky Cooper, photo editor Frank Tilley, community conversation editor Tim Delaney, delivery desk chief Nick Rogers and sports reporter Mike Forman. Those five alone, provide more than 150 years of community knowledge.
We're lucky to work where we do, at a newspaper so deeply invested in its community.
Merry Christmas to all.
December 25, 2009 at 6:45 p.m.I think you are doing an excellent job Chris...May God bless you and your family this Christmas
December 24, 2009 at 5:32 a.m.As a native Texan, born and raised, who has lived in Austin, Dallas, Washington, DC and Baltimore, you had better believe that I REALLY appreciate Victoria.
December 22, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.