I want to change my corner of the world

As children grow up, they always have something they want to grow up to be/do: nurse/doctor, veterinarian, policeman, fireman, and the list goes on. My father had big dreams for me; he always told me the world was at my fingertips and I could be, and do anything I wanted to do.

I wanted to grow up to be the President of the United States of America. (He actually wanted to name me Keep Florida Greene, because back in 1969 (the year I was born) all the billboards up and down the interstates, in Florida, said “Keep Florida Green.” He had told my mother that when I grew up, I could run for governor of the state of Florida and have free advertisement all over the state – but that’s a whole different story!)

As I grew up, however, and grew up in the newspaper business, it didn’t take me long to realize that what I really wanted to do was to stay in the newspaper business. I have loved it my entire life. It’s all I’ve done.

People sometimes ask why I love the newspaper business so much; why do I push so hard at this job and work so many hours. My answer is simple. “I want to change the world. Or, at least my corner of it.”

One of the greatest rewards, about being in the newspaper business, has been giving back to the community and keeping all the local citizens informed of what’s happening in their corner of the world.

Newspapers are important; they give information, they educate people, they create jobs for people, they help improve the levels of literacy, and they offer some form of entertainment. Newspapers help bridge the gap between the public and government. Without the newspaper reporting about the local government happenings, the citizens would be left in the dark and the government agencies would remain oblivious to the wishes of their constituents.
Daily newspapers are often full of national and state news. But weekly newspapers…now that’s where the fine reading is. Weekly newspapers tell their local citizens what is happening in their corner of the world. You don’t find your local hometown news on the internet! The only place to find your local news is in your local newspaper!

“I want to change the world. Or, at least my corner of it.”

I take great pleasure, and honor, to have feature stories on one of our hometown businesses and business owners. Small businesses and local businesses are still the backbone of our economy. I strongly encourage everyone to shop locally and support your neighbors, which in turn supports our economy. By shopping locally, you will also save time and gas and will have personal service from people you know and from people that care about you! By shopping locally…you are helping your friends and neighbors put food on their table, at the end of the day, instead of helping some multi-millionaire that owns huge corporations.

“I want to change the world. Or, at least my corner of it.”

I want to tell YOUR story – for the rest of our corner of the world to read. I want our local citizens to be able to read what great things are happening in our small, but proud, county…here in North Florida. The stories about who is turning 90-years-old, the 2½ pound pear grown by Mrs. Brumbley, the grand champion steer and swine shown at the Livestock Show, the senior night celebration honoring our local high school seniors, or the little girl selling lemonade to raise money for a needy veteran. THAT is the reason I love the life I have chosen!

“I want to change the world. Or, at least my corner of it.”

Community newspapers are a part of all of us. They tell our stories. They shape our community. They record our community’s history for people to read years from now.

The newspaper business, and this community newspaper, gives our hometown readers insight into their community and the opportunity to learn about fascinating people in their own town. It is my goal to share with you heartwarming stories as well as important business and economic affairs in our corner of the world.
I was born and raised in Madison County and have been in the newspaper business my entire 51 years of life, in Madison County. Thirteen years ago, I embraced Jefferson County’s hometown news when I purchased the Monticello News newspaper. And now, just nine weeks ago, Cheltsie and I have added Suwannee County, Lafayette County and Hamilton County into our life, with the Riverbend News; and I love those counties as I do Madison and Jefferson.

This isn’t just a job – this is my passion!

“Bringing Local News Home”
Proudly serving Madison, Jefferson, Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties.