My life has come full circle

On August 4, 1964 my parents, Tommy and Mary Ellen Greene, put out their very first edition of the Madison County Carrier. My parents (at the young age of 25) founded and started that newspaper with no newspaper experience at all; but with just a lot of hard work, dedication and will-power. They then went on to purchase the Mayo Free Press and the Branford News. Soon followed by the founding of the White Springs Leader.
When I was about 14 years old, my father asked me what I (truly/really) wanted to do when I grew up, and if I wanted the newspaper publishing business as my life. I had answered, “Yes. But I only want Madison. I do not want all the other counties; just Madison.” And so, he sold the Branford News and he had (long since) closed down the White Springs Leader. But yet he never did sell the Mayo Free Press. During my teenage years, I spent many a day working in Mayo, at our newspaper there, selling advertising and laying out; just as I did in Madison County. (Not to mention the few years we also owned the Swapper and I spent my days and nights laying that out and doing the Swapper paper route, as well.)
From the years of 1982 – 1987 I attended Aucilla Christian Academy and spent most of my weekends in Jefferson County, for that was where the majority of my friends lived. I always felt like Jefferson County was my hometown, just as Madison was.
In 1992 we went twice-a-week with the Madison County Carrier, publishing every Wednesday and Saturday. In 1993, we sold (traded) the Mayo Free Press and bought (traded) the Madison Enterprise-Recorder; dropping our weekend Carrier and making the Enterprise-Recorder our Friday newspaper. For the next several years, Daddy found himself more and more in other outlets; leaving the newspaper world more and more to me. By 1999, he made the “official announcement” that he was not “in charge” anymore and that I was now his boss (there are a lot of funny stories around that scenario!)
The years continued to pass and on July 1, 2007 I became the proud owner of the Monticello News, here in Jefferson County. I began publishing the Monticello News and the Jefferson County Journal every Wednesday and Friday, just as I did in Madison County.
Last year, in the middle of the Covid nightmare – CNHI Newspapers closed down the Suwannee Democrat, Mayo Free Press and Jasper News. My daughter, Cheltsie, and I found ourselves contemplating starting a brand-new newspaper for the Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette County citizens. You see, my whole life has been in the newspaper business and my desire in life has always been to tell local stories/happenings and inform local citizens of what is happening around them. I look for ways to make life better in our communities and to help the “underdog” climb on top of the mountain. I like to help small businesses and our local citizens strive and thrive in our small communities. I want to build our towns up and make it a place our children want to grow up and raise their children. I would like to think I am helping change the world, or at least my corner of it. So, on July 29, 2020 (one year ago) we put our first Riverbend News newspaper on the street, servicing Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties.
And here I sit, 57 years later … what my Daddy and Mama started back in 1964 has come full circle, in a sense. For they once owned newspapers in Madison County, Lafayette County, Hamilton County and Suwannee County …. And now I do the same, in the same exact counties, plus Jefferson County (as my bonus.) I sure wish my Daddy was alive to see what has transpired; but I’m sure he is smiling down from his (green) mansion in the sky!
The greatest compliment, I believe, I ever receive is, “You’re just like your Daddy!” And to hear, “Your Daddy would be so proud of you,” brings tears to my eyes!
Last month, we had a 14th anniversary celebration, here at our Monticello newspaper office to celebrate the 14 years that I have been a part of this community. What a fun ride the last 14 years have been for me in Jefferson County! Not only have I reconnected with so many “old” friends from my younger years, but I have made so many new friends that will last me my lifetime.
We, the staff here at the Monticello News and Jefferson County Journal, have worked hard for the last 14 years to make your Community Newspapers the best around. We are more like family members than co-workers. We are all dedicated and each and every one of us truly love our job and enjoy serving each and every one of you! It is our intent to provide all our neighbors with insight to what is happening in our small community.
So, “Thank You!” to you, our faithful friends and patrons; for helping us grow bigger and stronger for the last 14 years and we hope to do nothing but become bigger, better and even stronger through the upcoming years.
“Bringing Local News Home”
Proudly serving Madison, Jefferson, Suwannee, Hamilton and Lafayette Counties.